May 2007
To the Students, Faculty and Staff of ARHS:
Dr. Hochman and I have spent the last few days addressing the issue of the proper role of religious music in our graduation ceremony. During our conversations with students and faculty, we have tried to be clear that we own responsibility for the current controversy. We did not approach this question with an adequate sense of process. We made decisions too quickly without consulting the affected parties. For this, we apologize.
So, right now, two related issues are before us: which ARHS ensembles will perform at graduation and why; and, the importance of ensuring that the night of June 8th is about the seniors and not this controversy.
Regarding the first issue, the following groups will perform at the graduation for the Class of 2007:
Wind Ensemble Orchestra[senior members will play a selection]
Conjunto de Bomba Gospel Choir
Chorale
A conscious decision had been made to display the full array of musical talent at the high school. Our interest was to make the ceremony more musically inclusive, to have the ensembles more fully representative of the entire student body.
As a result, an invitation was extended to the Gospel Choir. At this time, to rescind this invitation is equivalent to changing the rules in the middle of the game, which would be unfair. We have had religious music sung at graduation for years. If this is to be no longer the case, then we should have worked this out before, not after, inviting the Gospel Choir.
At the same time, we recognize that the issue of religious expression at school ceremonies where attendance is required raises serious issues. The convergence of church and state is something to be on guard about.
Yet, in the small amount of time left in the school year, we would be unable to develop a set of guidelines to help us determine what constitutes religious music(versus what is generally uplifting spiritually), what distinguishes it from culturally significant music, and what latitude our ensembles have to perform it.
So, we are relying on the good will of the community to ensure that the graduation ceremony on June 8th is a joyous occasion. We need you to trust that, long before graduation next year, we will convene a process that will enable us to explore these issues and come to some healthy resolution.
Again, we apologize for the situation we have created and, as well, for a solution that may strike some as less than satisfactory. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mark Jackson
Principal