Stratford Marching Band

Comment

Comment by Joe Shelton Jr. on January 11, 2010 at 5:09pm

MAD BATTLE 2010 meeting tonight @ Maplewood High School Auditorium 7pm. Park in the front on the school and come through main entrance. Everyone that plans to perform, should try to attend. We will discuss all rules and formats so schools can begin to practice. Spread the word!

Comment by Jay Campey on October 21, 2009 at 10:31am

It is true, the impact that music ed has on people's lives. I can honestly say that if it weren't for being in band, especially the drum line, I wouldn't be a DJ today. I never will forget that pre-whites creek pep rally in 89 where I threw down on the quads only to hear the thunderous chanting of "go white boy go" throughout the bleachers.
Whenever the club gets hyped, I think back to that day.

Comment by Joe Shelton Jr. on October 21, 2009 at 10:17am

Band Competition this Sat. Oct 24th @ Maplewood High School, 2pm. Featuring Whites Creek, Maplewood, Stratford, Pearl-Cohn, Shaw (Cleveland, OH) Fayette Ware (Somerville,TN) marching bands. Come out and support your school. Tickets are only $5 kids 12 and under free. In case of rain, event will be moved inside.

Comment by Shatika Covington on September 21, 2009 at 10:55pm

I still know how to twirl that flag (lol)

Comment by Shenika (Shay) on August 5, 2009 at 2:20pm

To confirm, they are not getting rid of the band. As some of you know I am a Math teacher at Stratford, and on the last day of school we still had a band. I will let everyone know on Monday when I go back to work.

Shay

Comment by Theresa Abernathy Gordon on August 4, 2009 at 3:41pm

I hear ya Corey! If you find out who to contact to voice our outrage, let me know. I'll definitely let these fingers do the walkin' and my mouth do the talkin'. That's CRAZY!!!

Comment by COREY on August 4, 2009 at 3:19pm

wen did they decide to get rid of tha band? why? do they not know the importance of musical education? do they not know that music is a universal language that is spoken by everyone,no matter if you like motzart, michael jackson,green day,otis redding,or the beetles. music is so powerful that made u believe milli-vanilli was really singing wen they really wasnt. its so powerful that it made tha whole world talk about beyonce' singing for the FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT'S first dance wit the FIRST BLACK 1st LADY!!!! it pisses me off to see the ignorance of sum people about music,knowing the tremendous impact it has had on my entire life from birth and still to this day. if it wasnt for Mr. Ronald D. Martin,my band director and tha best at wat he did, staying on my back and teaching me about discipline as well as paradiddles,flams,and five stroke rolls, our drum section and each individual would have been horrible representations of stratford. this is,more than anything,a big let down for the students coming in this year excited wit the intentions of applying themselves and devoting time and effort to a musical program with a longstanding reputation of being THE PRIDE of the EASTSIDE!! i will do watever i can do and talk to city and school reps to see if this disservice to nashville students can be stopped. i encourage ALL former students,band members,parents,community supporters,teachers,and preachers to do tha same. wouldnt you want sumone to do tha same for your class if it happened back then? thats just real talk. lets get to it people.
aw yeah, just in case anyone wanted to know, YES i am highly upset about this!!!!!

Comment by Ronald D. Martin on June 10, 2009 at 3:21am

Hello All! ...and you're welcome Kia Hathaway!

Comment by Theresa Abernathy Gordon on May 22, 2009 at 9:23am

In Response to Letter by Johnny L. Croft, Director of Bands

As a former Spartan band member (1974-1976) I am extremely saddened, disappointed and angry that the powers that be can not understand the importance of a program such as the band to the students at Stratford now with gifted musical talent that needs to be further enhanced, as well as musically gifted students to come. There are some students who may not be as gifted as others academically, but excel with musical talents and without that means of fulfillment they may not feel that they are able to accomplish their goals. This is not fair to those students and whatever we need to do to protest this decision and let others know that this program should not be eliminated needs to be done. If you give names and mailing addresses for those who need to be contacted I will definitely send a letter stating my disappointment in their lack of judgement and concern for the balanced educational curriculum for the students. It may seem trivial to some with no musical talent, but for others it may be the only opportunity for them to express themselves in ways that give them a feeling of self accomplishment. Even if the band has gone through rough periods, it still does not justify eliminating the program. If just one musically gifted student needs this program to enhance their gift and public school is their only means to do so, they should have that opportunity and it would be worth keeping the program. I am so disappointed in that decision. Let me know what I can do to let my voice be heard. God bless you Mr. Croft and remember that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Keep your faith and trust in Him for all things!

Theresa Abernathy Gordon
Class of 1976

Comment by Joe Shelton Jr. on May 20, 2009 at 10:02am

From: Johnny L. Croft

Director of Bands

Stratford High School

1800 Stratford Ave.

Nashville, T.N. 37216



To: Parents/Guardians, Students, Future Stratford Students, Community Supporters, and Friends



I am writing this letter with a saddened sprit and much disappointment. This is my first year at Stratford High School . It has been my great privilege and I have enjoyed teaching the students here. It was a huge change for me to come to Stratford . To be honest I had to pray with my family and friends before taking this position. Once I had decided to accept the Band Director position at Stratford , I walked into a program that was in shambles with little direction and low morale. In just one year the Band Program at Stratford has grown tremendously since I first arrived. I had six students that were at Marching Band Rehearsal the first day. I am proud to say by the end of the Marching Band Season the band had grown to 30 students.

An excitement has grown in the air for Band here at Stratford that was not here in the past year. I tell my students that they can succeed in anything that they put their minds to. From practice and hard work a college scholarship can be theirs for the taking, which motivates me to be a better teacher for them. I believe I have some of the most talented and brightest students in Metro. Some seniors have been welcomed with open arms to College Band Programs. Others, who are not yet seniors this year, have band directors already recruiting them to be a part of their program once they graduate High School. The Band Program here at Stratford has also partnered with the Nashville Symphony in bringing music back into the schools. From this effort the Symphony has provided more then half of my students with private lessons free of charge. Another community partner has been the Country Music Association which donated several thousands of dollars worth of instruments to the school to bring music back to Stratford . The Band Program here has achieved city-wide recognition and has gotten media exposure in local newspapers, radio, and television. Groups such as the Nashville Symphony and Tennessee State University have brought instrumental groups out to perform for the Band students here at Stratford .

I want you to hear this from me and not some outside source because I feel it is my duty to inform you. I have been informed that the Band Director position here at Stratford High School will be eliminated for next school year (2009-2010). I know this is a huge shock to you and your children, as it was for me. I am still in disbelief that this travesty is going to occur. There are many younger children and transfer students who are looking forward to coming to Stratford next year and being apart of the band program here. I have made some great friends here at Stratford and I have been treated with nothing but kindness and respect, and our Band Parents Organization has been the most involved parents in our school this year.

I ask that you fight the decision to remove the Band Program here at our school. This is not for my sake, but for the sake of the education of the current students and students for years to come. If enough people get involved in this effort we can potentially change the outcome of this decision, by writing letters or e-mailing school board members, your local city council members, state and local representatives and politicians. The Stratford community needs a Band Program, and your children deserve a Band Program. Please feel free to contact me.



Respectfully Yours,







Johnny L. Croft

Director of Bands

Stratford High School

242-6730 ext. 1139

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