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Conference 7.286::maynard

Title:Maynard -- Center of the Universe
Notice:Welcome to our new digs...
Moderator:PRAGMA::GRIFFIN
Created:Wed Aug 06 1986
Last Modified:Thu Feb 20 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:509
Total number of notes:4062

158.0. "Over Reaction at Maynard Talent Night" by IAMOK::DELUCO (A little moderation never hurt anyone) Thu May 18 1989 12:53

    
    I was at the Maynard Talent Night festivities last night and was very
    upset at the manner in which a "disturbance" was handled.  Following
    the completion of the formal acts, Easy Access, a local rock band, was
    scheduled to play a few songs while the judges scored the formal talent
    entrants. As the band began their first song many of the kids crowded
    in front of the stage and were screaming...similar to what you might
    see at a concert.  The woman running the show began to get visibly
    upset at the kids and toward the end if the first song, she started
    gesturing to the crowd to get back from the stage, which they did.  At
    the end of the song she told the kids to get back in their seats and
    threatened that this sort of thing could threaten future such events
    She then stated that the show was over and she would read the winners
    of the talent contest. Then came the clincher.....in walked the police.
    Someone had obviously called the police (I assume one of the staff).
    Several police cars eventually showed up, some from Stow and Maynard. 

    First of all, my opinion is that the kids were not out of control,
    although they were screaming and crowding the stage. They were having a
    great time and were not harming anyone or anything. But even assuming
    that their actions were out of place, cancelling the rest of the songs
    (obviously as some sort of punishment) and calling the police were
    over-reactions, to say the least.  Once told to move back from the
    stage, the kids did so, *immediately*. They were not out of control and
    did not deserve to be treated with such disrespect.  They could have
    enjoyed the rest of the show from their seats and certainly did not
    deserve to have the police called on them. 
                     
    I'm dismayed at the handling of the situation and feel the kids
    and the band deserve an apology from the people responsible for
    the situation.
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158.1LDYBUG::PEARCEAll things bright and beautifulThu May 18 1989 13:3312
	Have you considered sending a letter to the Beacon or Middlesex 
	News?   You've already written it in the base note.  

	I agree with what you've said, kids should not be treated with
	such disrespect.

	- Linda




158.2ridiculous!PVAX::DDCT1Thu May 18 1989 14:0710
    
    Go for sending a letter to the Beacon. 
    
    How foolish of this woman and her staff - doesn't
    working with kids give her any idea that this 
    is a pretty normal thing? SHE owes them a BIG
    apology. I imagine the police weren't too thrilled
    either. They have better things to do. 
     
    
158.3Talking to the School AdministrationIAMOK::DELUCOA little moderation never hurt anyoneThu May 18 1989 14:5213
    Yes, I considered sending a letter to the newspaper but for the
    moment I've decided to talk to the person who pulled the plug.  I
    called the school and have been directed to the music director who
    they think was running the show.  I've left a message for her to
    call me back.
    
    I may send the letter anyway, but perhaps to the school principal
    or administrator.  Is Jim Dugan still principal?
    
    Also, were any of you present last night and can you share your
    opinions?  My impression may be different than some others (obviously
    it's different than the music director's).          
                           
158.4An Entertaining Evening!?AKOV11::BAREThu May 18 1989 15:4816
    My husband and I were present and my daughter was a participant
    in the talent show.  We were, also, upset with the way the director
    handled the stopping of the band.  As soon as we arrived home he
    wrote a letter to the Beacon which I'll make sure he sends to the
    paper.
    
    I thought the kids reacted to the music the way typical teenagers
    do at a concert.  My high school daughter was there and her comment
    was "the kids are so psyched because they have a band from their town". 
    I think the band and the kids handled the whole situation in a very
    respectable and obliging manner to the director and police.  The
    kids retreated to their seats or left the auditorium with a few groans
    of disappointment.
    
    Regarding the talent show. . . I thought it was very entertaining
    and would hope it would continue in future years.  
158.5What wonderful role models...PRAGMA::GRIFFINDave GriffinFri May 19 1989 13:4213
My wife attended the show and had a slightly different story.

First of all she didn't feel that it was appropriate for the high school
band to be at the show.  It apparently attracted a number of high school
students into the auditorium who could care less about the talent show, which
was the event.  Catcalls and other rude remarks were apparently flying before
the band took the stage.

Regardless of the one's opinion, one thing appears to be clear: the organizers
were clearly responsible for this fiasco and should be held accountable for
the results.

- dave
158.6The Plot ThickensIAMOK::DELUCOA little moderation never hurt anyoneFri May 19 1989 16:4525
    Well, one of the band members was brought to a "hearing" yesterday
    at the high school and he was threatened with not receiving his
    diploma this year.  I don't know all of the details about what
    specifically were the charges against him but it appears that they
    are attempting to place the fault for the incident on the band.
    
    From what I understand they decided not to withhold his diploma but
    that the band, Easy Access,  is banned from the battle of the bands in
    June. I will get more details tonite when I talk to the student. 
                                                   
    I sent a letter, closely resembling what I entered in .0, to the
    principal yesterday.  I also called the music department head and left
    a message but I never received a return call.  
                                          
    While I can understand that it could have been a mistake to have the
    band play, the crowd reaction was not their responsibility. My personal
    opinion is that the crowd reaction wasn't even out of line, but I can
    understand that others would feel the kids acted inappropriately.  Even
    so, making the band responsible appears to be an abdication of
    responsibility. 
    
    More details will follow this weekend.