Sarah Hardy: Modesto City Schools decision ruining Downey choir
Throughout the history of Downey High School, the choir program has been one of the top reasons people choose it over any other high school in the district. From the Knightingales, who perform all over the community, to the ever-growing Knights Choir.
Last year, choir teacher Mary Ann Vlach left for a job elsewhere. The logical thing was to replace her with another qualified choir teacher. Instead, Modesto City Schools decided to use the band teacher, Joanne Neuffer, as the choir teacher. So this year, she is teaching both band and choir. Now advanced and intermediate women’s choir meet at the same time and the Knights choir ceases to exist.
As an alumnus, I think MCS is ruining 60 years of tradition. Our choir program is falling apart because the district refuses to put qualified teacher in place of the previous. How do you think the original Knightingales feel about this decision? Or how about Polly Vasche, who taught choir for 30 years? A band teacher can’t teach choir.
Sarah Hardy, Modesto
This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Sarah Hardy: Modesto City Schools decision ruining Downey choir."