It is important to speak with students about how music plays a role in community and how it may vary depending on where one might live. While people often think of jazz or dixieland as strong musical elements of the New Orleans community they might not immediately think about the importance of school marching bands. A recent article in the New York Times addressed the issue of schools struggling to rebuild marching band programs since hurricane Katrina. ABC news featured a story on the St. Augustine marching 100 as well and a year ago NPR also highlighted a marching band taking part in the mardi gras carnival season.
While students might not be able to relate to the devastation schools have suffered in New Orleans, they can probably empathize with their peers. Discussing the importance of music and marching bands to the people in New Orleans could be a starting point to talking about the importance of music in your students’ home town. Perhaps in becoming more aware of the music that is important in their own community and then their peers’ across the country, our students can expand their own notion of community and the role that music can play in giving people a sense of connection and place.