UPDATED: 2009-05-8  14:35:56

Dear Parents,

I recently learned of our administration’s decision to eliminate our band program at Holy Redeemer Catholic School. Our administrative team and I have been talking for a while about the scheduling changes, minute allocation and other parameters that affect our band and piano program. It disheartens me to see the wonderful efforts put forth by our students and families to create such a rewarding opportunity to our school culture be discontinued. Dr. Westley has been a strong supporter of the arts and believes in educating the whole child at the highest level. This philosophy is one of the reasons my wife and I came to HR.

In the two short years that I have been the director of bands, Ms. Lato, Ms. Curran, and I have taught almost 50 students a band instrument and given almost 60 students an introduction to or continuing education in piano. This unique program has benefited over 20% of our student population. Over 25 students have participated in honors bands. We started a wonderful commissioning project and most of our students are ahead of their public school counterparts.

Unfortunately, the elimination of our band and piano programs will mean your performer does not have school instruction and participation in an ensemble. I hope you will seek out new opportunities for your child to participate in. There are numerous summer camps, private lesson teachers and youth bands and orchestras in the Metro Atlanta area for them to continue. I would also encourage you to become an advocate for instrumental music education for all schools (public, private and Catholic). There are a few websites that have wonderful resources to assist in the support of all the Arts and the value in our lives, culture, and the strengthening of traditional academic performance. I wish there was more I could do.

In closing, I would like to thank members of the administration and faculty for their support of our programs. I would also like to thank you for the many blessings HR has given me in the past two years: my daughter, my dog (from the 2008 auction), and the opportunity to work with your child. I hope the future for your performer involves some sort of opportunity to for personal expression in music. Remember the body may wear down, but God always strengthens the mind and heart. Music speaks from both. I wish you all many blessings and an open ear.

Sincerely,  

John Christian

Director of Band