myrtlehart.org - Contributing Author

Contributing Author - Wendell Weaver (II)

Friday, 11 January 2008

Chicago Music Association poet laureate Wendell Weaver shares his memories in an introspective piece entitled Music Education II.

Perhaps you may think I am bold, but our union has asked us to inform the public about problems facing the schools. First of all, you should know that I was an F.T.B.-Full Time Basis Substitute. That title permitted the Board to push me around until I wound up at Mason Upper Grade Center (7^th and 8^th grade). On 19^th and Keeler – beautiful students. I taught General Music with the band teacher, Fred Czak in the auditorium.

Many teachers lived on the Southside, so we car-pooled to Mason. One day when I was driving the Librarian, home she asked me “Why don’t you start up a choir?” We discussed it thoroughly until I agreed with her. After I got permission from the principal, I told the interested students to meet me before school on the steps of Mason.

On the next day over 300 students were waiting for me. Some asking, “Where were you Mr. Weaver? We are here.” “You are here.” To myself, I said, “Such interest - they really want a choir.” With teary eyes I took them into the auditorium and auditioned as many as I had time, I told the others to come back the next day. And I was surprised with more coming to join, so I auditioned them also.

When I finished my auditioning, I had a 7^th grade choir and an 8^th grade choir for graduation. I had sopranos and altos for both choirs. I had a few boys so I sang with them so I would have three parts. The big problem with boys was they were at the age of voice changing. Most of them were embarrassed about that. My singing with them gave them the security they needed.

Soon I needed to practice during school time...

Of course, I had to use my free periods. The principal allowed me to do that if I got permission from the teachers involved. It worked well for a while until the teachers started to complain. After all, they were trying to do a good job also. I continued as best, as I could. The choirs were very good. We had beautiful programs. My favorite was excerpts from “The Sound of Music.” I had dancers, drummers, and soloists, as well as the choirs.

It was a regular Broadway Production. It was really something.

During that time, I was trying to be certified. I took the exam, failed one part and got high scores on the other part. Next time I took the exam I got a very low score on the high part and passed the part I had failed previously. Later I studied with other F.T.B’s and the results were the same. We all said, “What is this? Something is wrong with the system.” So we all got together and said to the Boards, “Hire us or fire us” and we all walked out. We stayed out for at least two weeks. The Board found out the great job we were doing and decided to give us the same exam. We all passed it.

After we were certified, we had to go in different directions according to our college degrees. My college degree said high school. My first choice was South Shore H. S. but I almost did not want to leave Mason. It was such a beautiful school. But the Board told us that if we wanted our certification we had to accept our official assignment otherwise, we would remain an F.T.B. I see some of my students today. Some of them have done well, even become music teachers, but I will remember them most when they just wanted to sing in a choir many years ago.

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