When Craig Kupka took over the Hoover High School music program six
years ago, he had a hard time recruiting students interested in traveling
to and competing in music festivals.
Today it is a far different story.
For the fourth year in a row, the Hoover High music program has been
recognized on the national level. Prestigious Downbeat Magazine named the
school's Studio Jazz Band the best in the country. At the same time, it
recognized drum soloist Johnny Di Gregorio, oboist Sonja Thoms and the
Hoover String Quartet/Quintet as among the best in the United States.
A week ago, the campus was the scene of Hooverstock 2000, an
opportunity for several school-related musical groups -- playing
everything from jazz to alternative rock -- to perform for their
classmates.
The Hoover High music scene is creating quite a bit of excitement.
As a community, we will continue to ask schools to make progress on
the basics: providing our children with the academic background they need
to be successful once they leave high school. But there is certainly more
to school than just math and biology and English.
More than one study has proven and more than one observer has noticed
that the students involved in extracurricular activities also typically
end up being among the highest achievers in the classroom.
That is particularly true with music. While it is frequently the
athletic programs that attract the most attention in the community
outside of a high school, often choral and instrumental music provoke the
most enthusiasm on campus.
And that is not a bad thing. Much of what is covered in a theoretical
way in the classroom comes into play in the music studio. Likewise, the
wonder of artistic creation and the striving to achieve goals can become
hallmarks of a successful life years after high school graduation.
Then, of course, there is all that can be learned with making the
decision to compete, working hard to prepare for competition and the
satisfaction of either achieving a goal or making the assessment of what
is needed to reach it the next time out: all life skills that many adults
could use -- never mind high school students.
With that in mind, there is a lot to be grateful for in the Hoover
High School music program.
