Readers are reacting to last Sunday's music education story, "Music in schools on march again," an update of last year's "The bands are back" (Dec. 2, 2001).

"I challenge any school administrator to read all three parts (of the article) and still try to cut programs," says Susan Rissover, of the Suzuki Cooperative of Cincinnati Public Schools.

Retired CPS music teacher Alan Coleman says, "I thought it interesting that Ms. (Cindi) Menefield has no idea of what she is going to do in her position (visual and performing arts curriculum manager), but I suspect that this appointment was window dressing."

He said he believes that she will have no clout with schools that choose not to have music.

"I hope that your article will get someone to move `off the dime' and do something for ALL the kids in CPS. One other thing though - what do the people like (the CSO) . . . plan to do to assure that every student has the opportunity to be involved in music? The sound of support from them is deafeningly silent!"

Although many kids in Cincinnati Public don't have adequate music, John Zulli, music teacher at Covedale Elementary, is proud of his program. The band has 60-80 participants, he says. "We are the only elementary band I know of (in CPS) with uniforms. Our choir has 40 members, and is preparing for a holiday performing tour downtown," he says.

David Bell, Fine Arts Facilitator at Winton Woods, liked the focus on administrators like Camille Nasbe of Winton Woods, Barbara Rider of Norwood, Carol Walsh of CPS and Kevin Bright of Mason.

"It's great to see visionary school leadership making strong movement toward recognition of the arts as a part of a balanced education and vital community," he says. "Cultural literacy is both a part of educating students for careers in the new millennium and offering people a way to improve their quality of life."

- Janelle Gelfand