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Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Weirdness 2024 on 2/22/2024, 2:10 am

Our US House of Representatives incumbent asked our high school band to play some pop tunes at their primary watch night party on March 5. I do not feel this is appropriate, regardless of their political affiliation. Has anyone else had this request? If so what was your response and how did you handle it?

Yes, admin is aware and said it’s my decision.
Yes, parents are encouraging it.
No, I don’t think it is a good idea or sets a good precedent.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Lunney on 3/2/2024, 8:23 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

My personal response to admin….

“I would prefer to perform for a drug cartel barbecue before any political candidate. The sponsor would at least be forthcoming about their agenda.”

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Houston on 2/26/2024, 3:51 pm, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

I was expected and even forced to have my band participate in a local politicians event annually.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by How... on 2/24/2024, 4:14 pm, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

much would want to bet that the candidate wanting the band to play is one of the people that the AG (who is filing the suit) is supporting to get revenge on the people that supported his impeachment.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Denton on 2/24/2024, 10:16 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

Denton ISD is currently facing a lawsuit for promoting political candidates and agendas. That case is a little more cut and dried, and I bet some people will lose their jobs over it, but I would not come close to anything political when acting in my official capacity.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by BorderBD on 2/23/2024, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

I*'ve done two different scenarios in my time of employment.
First, an annual event for our town where the Governor showed up and began his pitch for the presidency. Some people got to take a photo, but only if they wanted to. Again, this wasn't a special event, it just coincided with a special visit.
Second, we were sent by the principal (former politician) to play for a former president who was picking up a donation for his wife's campaign. I was against it but didn't have a say in the matter. Not to mention the weather was really bad, and the event was outdoors (and was delayed due to high winds, so the private jet couldn't land). In protest (and sickness) I stayed on the bus as long as possible.
If it's political only, I suggest don't.
If you're ordered to, please make it optional.
If you have personal reservations, and it's your decision, don't. I think going would open your program up for other "invitations", some of which would go against what you believe in.
Good luck!

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by question on 2/23/2024, 7:13 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

Will there be drinking there?

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by No on 2/22/2024, 6:55 pm, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

I would not take my high school band to any campaign event whatsoever, whether I agreed with the candidate or not. Politics and public school don't mix. I have very strong political opinions, but when I'm even remotely associated with my school duties I'm Switzerland. I'm surprised that your admin would allow you to do this.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Concur on 2/23/2024, 7:03 am, in reply to "Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

+1 This.

In college, we were told that this would be borderline unethical (your millage may vary). The rationale being that your very presence in an official capacity could imply that you, your students, and the school are giving tacit approval to the candidate and their platform weather you personally support them or not.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Beelzebub's Attorney on 2/24/2024, 3:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

Point of order!

What if the sitting mayor asks you to play at a city event?

What if a congressperson asks you to play at a community rally?

What if the governor asks you to play at inauguration? Or the President?

Whether you tacitly or otherwise agree with their politics or not, sometimes the good can outweigh the bad in these types of situations.

The kids that got to perform in Obama's inaugural high school marching band will carry that experience with them for the rest of their lives. Talladega College's alums likely feel the same for their performance at Trump's parade - even if most of them would never vote for Trump.

Sometimes it's worth it if we look past our own preconceptions.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Except... on 2/25/2024, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

...the question at hand is concerning someone who is running for office during a campaign event...not a sitting office holder asking for the band at what are civic functions outside of the election cycle like you listed. A campaign event is a purely political function, nothing more.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Respectfully on 2/26/2024, 3:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

"Our US House of Representatives incumbent" - that's a sitting Congressperson.

From OP.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by And... on 2/27/2024, 6:49 am, in reply to "Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

...he's running for office (again) asking for them to play at a function that is a purely political event...not the 4th of July parade downtown, which is a civic event.

See the difference now?

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by BDSO on 2/26/2024, 6:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

You forgot the last part: "asked our high school band to play some pop tunes at their primary watch night party on March 5".

This implies they are running for office. Playing for a sitting elected official in a event that is tied to an election/re-election campaign is completely different than playing for something like an inauguration or a non-partisan event.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by MS on 2/22/2024, 12:51 pm, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

I remember doing one when I was in HS. Didn't really know what it was about.

Looking back, I wish I hadn't been there. Once I was older and connected the dots, I definitely did not care for that politician.

My director probably aligned with their viewpoints. There was probably a reason we had to travel over an hour to to that performance. I'm assuming other schools were asked but declined.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Bandster on 2/22/2024, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

I personally would not; any political leanings quite notwithstanding.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by TYB Host on 2/22/2024, 10:27 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"
Board Administrator

As a parent, I think that IF you do it, you make it optional. And only do it if they are paying. Communication is the key here. You have to be open and transparent that in no way are you or the band or the district endorsing the candidate.

Again - only if they are paying, and it has to be significant.

Tim

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Warhawk on 2/22/2024, 10:02 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

Is it a paying gig? If so, do it. If not, don't.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by horn playa on 2/22/2024, 8:52 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

IF you decided to go play - maybe you could put out some sort of statement about how you are not endorsing this candidate but are going to perform as an educational trip for students. I think it might be a good learning experience for them. Definitely set up lots of guidelines for students.
Maybe even make it optional if some students or parents are uncomfortable with it?

But also, I could see how you don't think it's a good idea and I'm sure many people will be upset about what I just said above.

There will be people upset at whatever decision you make.

Sounds like you might have some great admin who let you run your program. OR they're just not wanting to get into it at all so they're handing the decision off to you.

Keep us updated. I'm curious to hear how this all works out.

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by xbdxbd on 2/22/2024, 8:50 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

Ask for a donation...

Re: Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party

Posted by Snerk on 2/22/2024, 8:41 am, in reply to "Political Candidate Asks for Band to Play for Primary Night Party"

Are they paying?

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