From the Tribune and Georgian :
Is The Band Camden's Rodney Dangerfield ????
Dear Editor,
I usually reserve my one letter a month limit to criticize the Board of Education, take a jab at the Sheriff, or just laugh at the puppets on the Board of Commissioners, but what some people have done to our children, I can not let slide. And as most of you know I call as I see it.
You people in Camden County that booed our beloved band should be ashamed of yourselves. How dare you boo young kids who work just as hard as any member of the football team and probably have better grades than them. Although I am not a fan of any marching band, I can at least give them the respect that they deserve because they work so hard. I always thought when the band started playing it was time to hit the refreshment stand. Well, that will not happen anymore, as I will bring my own snacks and instead of supporting the refreshment stand, I will support the band. If you don't like the music, then criticize the instructor, but don't boo our kids. Did you all boo the football team when they lost in South Carolina, I didn't think so. So why would you boo other kids who try just as hard. Is there some kind of campaign to get rid of the the band? I know a few months ago Jimmy Coffel, Chairman of the Board of Education, said that if they did not raise taxes that the band would have to go. I couldn't believe he said that, but no one seemed to mind, not one letter to the editor, not one parent at the board meeting, nothing. Now, maybe our own fans want to get rid of the band to free up some more money for the football team. The band has been the only constant in the football program. Winners every year, can the football team say that. They have always excelled at competitions, yet have we closed school so more people could attend these competitions, NO. Why? What makes the football team so special? Now, the coach of the football team has asked for more support in a playoff game. He believes in his team so much, he took time to write a letter to the editor. Coach, where's the letter showing your support for the band. After all they are there every time supporting the football team. and what about the players, I have not seen one letter from a football players. Do you not support the ones who cheer every game win or lose? I guess you all feel the same as those idiots that booed. Shame on you to. Winning is more important than defending a bunch of kids against selfish, disrespecting, and ignorant people. Please join me at http://www.schoolpolice.com/ as I will show the band the respect they deserve. Kids, I don't think I know a single one of you, but I am sorry that some adults in this county just have not grown up, I support you and you continue to ROCK ON. I urge all who support our band to make signs to show your support for the band. Maybe take some newspapers and read them during the first half of the game and then get loud at halftime and show our Rodney just a little respect.
Thank you Camden County Marching Band
Rick Rogers
Kingsland
"The people of this County do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created." ***The views expressed on this blog are the opinions of the individual that wrote them.
2 comments:
Letters From Students:
Band members work hard and deserve some praise
Dear Editor, I am a junior at Camden County High School and a leader in the Camden Wildcat Marching Band.
The Marching Wildcats have endured a lot this year. No band should have to put up with criticism of the hard work we have put into our show, especially from our fans.
When we performed "King Kong," we expected appreciation for a technical and challenging halftime show. The response we received from some fans was less than encouraging; we were told it lacked "flair."
According to Webster's Dictionary, the definition of "flair" is a natural talent, ability or aptitude. Mr. (Lee) Colefield, Mr. (J.D.) Williams, and all the other so-called "Wildcat fans" who didn’t care for the show so much that they would boo or write negative articles, lack the selflessness, respect and appreciation required to recognize the work and effort we students put into our selection.
Who are they to tell us that our selection lacked "flair"? Who are they to denigrate us? Any band can go out and play loud music and dance around the field.
In every negative article about our performance they say, "Congratulations for getting a superior, but the show is boring." Boring!
If only you could look past your simpleness and see the complex, diverse and difficult arrangement of "King Kong" that earned a superior!
Let me explain why students are in marching band. We are there to learn the essence and the fundamentals of music and marching, which will benefit those of us who have aspirations of continuing our music education at the college level.
This show has driven every student to reach beyond our potential. It is unfortunate that some do not appreciate the work, or see the growth of our band. Our hard work and accomplishments will be rewarded by our ratings, regardless of the opinions of some fans.
We sincerely appreciate our true fans that do realize our talent. For those who do not, please feel free to visit the band booster concession stand; the band will be more than happy to accept your support there.
Also, Ceri Johnson, please get your facts straight before pointing fingers at Mr. (Dean) Slusser and Ms. (Shanon) Woolf. The show is chosen by all the staff, which deserves so much more for bringing the band so far.
No one should have to deal with such criticism after such hard work.
I would also like to inform those that think that our second show is because of your inconsiderate boos or your comments in the newspaper. We always present a second “less sophisticated show” after competition. Camden County is lucky to have a band that performs two shows a year, unlike most bands that only perform one.
I would like to thank Mr. (Alan) Smith and the other band directors. Also, a special thanks to the true band fans that support us and realized how hard we worked and truly recognized our talent. I know that when the band is on the field, no matter what show we do, we are all performing just for our true band fans.
Sheldon O'Steen
Kingsland
Tribune and Georgian
Letters From Students
Band member explains how hard her team works
Dear Editor, My name is Ashleigh Bunkley and I am a senior at Camden High. I am proud to say I am also a member of the Camden Wildcat Marching Band!
In the (Wednesday) Oct. 25 edition of the Tribune & Georgian, Mr. Sam O'steen wrote a letter to the editor entitled "Band booster chides those who fail to appreciate it." This letter was in response to a letter in the (Friday) Oct. 20 edition of the Tribune & Georgian written by Mr. Lee Colefield. It was entitled "Song selection for marching band lacked flair."
In response to these articles, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. O'steen for his support and words of encouragement. We all appreciate his understanding of our situation and for standing us for us. Thank you, Mr. O'steen.
As for Mr. Colefield's article, it was hurtful and disappointing. (The most hurtful thing of all was to have our own Camden fans boo us. Apparently they, like Mr. Colefield, did not like our performance, either. We do not like to feel second class since we are a first class group of students who are dedicated to what we do and proud of it.)
Our practice starts in July and we practice really hard from then until marching band ends with the last football game of each season. I realize that Mr. Colefield stated we do have to have a technical show for competition, but what he does not seem to understand is we practice and strive to win the award of Superior (which we did) in competition.
That means a lot to our band. It is the same feeling for us as it is for the football players when they win a real tough game against a tough opponent. It is important to our band, like our football team, to do our best. After competition, our show always changes. In fact, Mr. (Allan) Smith and some band students come up with suggestions for our, what we the band students call, "the fun show."
I also want to say a special thanks to Mr. Allan Smith, our band director; Mr. Anthony Denaro, our assistant band director; and Ms. Shanon Woolf, the Top Cats instructor.
We thank each of you for your dedicated work with the band and for helping us obtain the award of Superior this year. We can all overlook the boos and Mr. Colefield's remarks and hope he and everyone enjoyed our show on Senior Night, Friday, Nov. 3. And thanks to the crowd for the standing ovation! Go 'Cats! Go Wildcat Marching Band!
Ashleigh Bunkley
Waverly
Tribune and Georgian
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