Story posted Thursday, October 15, 2009
BG Music Contest Decision Reaches Boiling Point
By DWIGHT ESAU Journal & Topics Reporter
Training of high school choral music soloists and ensembles has touched off a controversy at Buffalo Grove High School that reached all the way up to the High School District 214 superintendent.
For several months, school fine arts officials, some parents, and a private vocal coach have debated the value of student participation in solo and ensemble contests sponsored by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
Conversations escalated in recent weeks to allegations by the vocal coach of disrespect and unfair treatment of students by a teacher and the Buffalo Grove principal. Charges that a "hostile environment" existed in the school's choral music program prompted District 214 Supt. David Schuler to get involved.
Donna Chung, a vocal music coach who works with four Buffalo Grove choral students, objected to a recent decision by Debora Utley, the school's choral director, and Principal Carol Burlinski not to participate in IHSA solo contests, and to concentrate on in-house school district and school contests and those conducted by other organizations.
In addition to sharing her objections with parents, Chung sent numerous e-mails to the Journal & Topics Newspapers. She alleged that school officials said the IHSA contests "have no value," but didn't explain why.
George Payette, a Buffalo Grove parent of one of Ms. Chung's students, said, "Why has this escalated to the point that students are prohibited from participating in something they feel helps them?" He added that some communications from school officials could have been handled better.
In an attempt to calm the situation down, Schuler met with some Buffalo Grove parents, Utley, and Burlinski this week. He also said he "spent considerable time over the course of the past several weeks" looking into the matter.
Schuler acknowledged that one parent said communication about the decision not to participate in the IHSA contests might have been handled differently. But he also said no parent or student supported Chung's accusations that teachers were disrespectful or refused to meet with parents.
"In my review of the public accusations you have made against the Buffalo Grove High School principal and the vocal music instructor, I can find nothing to support your allegations and have determined them to be unfounded," he told Chung.
Schuler also said that the school's choral students have "numerous opportunities" to be individually assessed by music educators. "Buffalo Grove participates in an all-state music festival, Allerton, Illinois Music Educators Association, in-district honors chorus, and in in-school competition," he said. "Ms. Utley and the fine arts staff have drawn upon their expertise to select opportunities they feel will most benefit their students.
"Most of the IHSA activities are centered around athletics or other activities in which there are no other venues in which to compete," Schuler said. "This is not true for music programs. As a result, it is up to our music professionals to determine which venues will provide the greatest opportunity for students to receive feedback and experience growth." Thus, he concluded, the decision not to include IHSA contests is reasonable.
Schuler said he agreed with his music staff's opinion that other contests are superior to those of the IHSA.
"I am supporting the professional decision of Ms. Utley and the music staff," he said.
A choral teacher in High School District 207 in Maine Township supported Schuler's statement. "We pulled out of IHSA contest activity 15 years ago in all of our schools," he said. "Many suburban school districts have. We have our in-district contest annually, and students get quick feedback and extensive attention to their individual talents. The IHSA believes that there are only a very few real outstanding vocalists in the state. We disagree."
In contrast, another high school music educator said this week she has worked extensively with IHSA contests and finds them beneficial. "But they are not the only venues available," she added.
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