Recently while staying with my aunt and uncle in Tooele, I took the opportunity to read the Oct. 15 issue of the Tooele Transcript-Bulletin. The front page article titled “SHS neighbors tired of facing the music” immediately caught my attention. In this article, a woman complained about being inconvenienced by the early morning serenades of the local high school marching band. I was appalled that anyone would complain of this activity, especially someone residing next to a school. Anyone living near a school would expect to hear sounds of students playing all types of sports and performing all manner of activities. This also includes hearing wonderful band music that only is conducted outdoors for a brief period of time during each school year. Many school bands have to practice at this hour because it is impossible for them to rehearse after school. Some schools only have one field which is shared by many different athletic teams, in the afternoons as well as evenings. Marching band students are preparing for a chance to win a competition for their school, and a chance to later join a college marching band which will also practice early in the morning. Our youth are the future of our country, and as such, students are more likely to reach their fullest potential with our enthusiastic encouragement and support of all school activities. I would suggest that you relax, enjoy the music and cheer them on, as your children may someday be joining this wonderful group of musicians.

Mary Crockett

Columbia, S.C.