To the editor:
On Dec. 14, I was given the opportunity to play with the KHS band, an organization I am proud to be an alumni of. As young music teachers, many of us would attribute much of our inspirations to become music teachers to those aesthetic musical experiences that we have had in our lives. The KHS Band and Chamber Choir certainly provided such experiences for me. Few people however, get to return to their alma mater and revisit these experiences. Many consider it an honor to have the opportunity to be accompanied by their high school band. It was truly a thrill and an opportunity of a lifetime to perform with the KHS band with many of those who inspired me to become a music educator present for the performance.
Knoxville has much to be proud of in the avenues of its music programs. At the high school level, Mr. Ross Leeper, Mrs. Jackie Duffy, and Mr. Geoff Shultz, have shown a high level of musicianship, professionalism and an interest in reaching out to alumni and pre-service music teachers. During my collegiate years (as a music educator in training), I would frequently visit them on college breaks to discuss music education, seek advice and receive their input. Each and every time I have stopped in, all three have given me the same message that is the driving force in their philosophies of education: the students come first.
All three of these individuals continue to have the highest level of professionalism, while at the same time, having the utmost commitment to their students. Knoxville is incredibly lucky and should be proud of the quality of music program it maintains. As an alumni and frequent "returner" and now a "guest soloist" (with a degree in music), I feel that nobody is in better position than I to acknowledge as such.
Going forward, I would highly encourage the community of Knoxville to consider asking the question "How can we help these professionals provide the best experience for our students?"
I would suggest that adding a new auditorium to the current list of fine facilities that Knoxville provides for its students would be a high priority. An auditorium would enhance the musical experience that the students have, along with providing a space for community groups to give public performances.
Many would say "Why isn’t the gym good enough?" To that I have two responses; a gym does not have the acoustical properties, or the design to give the best experience for the students. As an alumnus of the program "Celebration Iowa" (a group that travels and performs in the summer at various indoor and outdoor venues of which I have performed in many auditoriums and venues) I can confirm without any doubt that Knoxville is the ONLY school of its size IN THE STATE to not have an auditorium in its high school facilities. On a lighter note, we would never ask a basketball or volleyball team to play in an auditorium without a hoop or net would we? See my point?
Facilities such as the current High School gym, classrooms, and technology facilities were state of the art at the time of their construction. I feel that it is time to have the city finally consider building a state of the art facility to promote the performing arts as well. Such a facility can be used by many performing groups throughout the community and from places outside the community. It’s essential that the auditorium be a COMMUNITY and SCHOOL investment. I understand that economic times have caused money to be tight and monetary situations to be rather depressing. However, I would also like to point out that the current (beautiful) football stadium, which is currently being rebuilt, was once a project of the WPA, an organization assembled to create jobs during the Great Depression. My point is simply this: it can be done in tough economic times and has been done in the past. I’m sure Dr. Randy Flack and Mr. Kevin Crawford would welcome suggestions from the community on how best to raise money for an auditorium for KHS. As I have been told for years, the original school building that was built in the mid-90s had blueprint plans which included an auditorium.
In closing, I would like to publicly thank all those who were my teachers within the Knoxville music program who have provided me and many in my position with great performance opportunities. My personal thanks and deepest gratitude go to Ross Leeper, Jackie Duffy, Geoff Shultz, and Vickie King for providing me with a great musical experience. I truly feel that Knoxville has a Music program that provides students with a quality education in the performing world, and gives a rewarding sense of accomplishment and self discipline. I would encourage the community to congratulate Mr. Kevin Crawford and Dr. Randy Flack for their continuing, unwavering, support of the arts in Knoxville. I would also and encourage community members to these fine administrators as they continue support of the fine arts and as these arts continue to assist in the growth and development our students in to mature, accomplished human beings.
Theodore R. Schacherer
KHS Alumni- 2004
Music Educator
