To Get Respect, Give Respect

To the Editor:

After reading Matt Cole’s excellent letter entitled “Concert Etiquette” in last week’s The Newtown Bee, I decided to finish one I started a few weeks back and send it on in.

Here’s one for the teenagers.

It’s often said (and even fashionable to say) that young people of high school age are rude and disrespectful. Having raised three kids through high school in Newtown (our youngest is now a senior), I’d like to go on record by stating that getting respect from teens is as simple as giving them due respect.

I was appalled and even saddened the night of December 15 to watch adults leaving the High School Holiday Music concert in the middle of performances (accompanied by the usual auditorium door-banging), or at best leaving after their student had performed.

I have spent the last ten wonderful years as a parent volunteer with the high school marching band (head equipment shlepper) and know firsthand how hard our music students (and their teachers) work. The level of self discipline required to perfect their musical craft while at the same time achieving typically above-average academics makes these kids a special breed. In fact, a fair number of them participate in all four music programs: band, marching band & color guard, choral, and orchestra.

To get up and leave especially while they are performing is about the rudest and most disrespectful thing one could do to these students. Yes, I was tired and cold that night myself, and would loved to have gone home, put my feet up in front of the fire and listen to fine music on WMNR. Except for the noncomfort of the auditorium seats (which I assume is deliberate to preclude snoring in the audience) it was just as relaxing (no fire of course; not allowed in the building) and the quality of music we enjoyed that night sounded just as professional as what’s on the radio (these are 14–18 year old kids, don’t forget) and infinitely more enjoyable since it was live! I leave for work at 5:30 am, but staying until 9:30 for the entire concert including the fabulous wind ensemble was worth every minute.

Young people who achieve this level of excellence deserve the utmost respect from all of us, and I have found from my years of working directly with them that they will return respect and courtesy as long as it’s reciprocal. Staying for the entire concert is the least thing one should do for these students. Even if you don’t have a student in school, come on out to any of the concerts for an enjoyable evening of fine music performed by nice respectful young people. It’s also by far the best five bucks you can spend in Newtown!

Respectfully,

Chet Janutolo

39 Taunton Hill Road, Newtown                               January 7, 2005