The precious beauty of something not perfect

From the BCCT. Some kudos to the BCCT for the editorial note and baby-sized backtracking steps, but I seriously question their editorial bias toward Morrisville and why something so clearly negative toward these hard-working band students ever made it through the editorial process and into print.

Multiple kudos to today's letter writer with no reservations, as well as the late Ed Frankenfield. A year after his death and he's still making a positive impact on the school district. That beats anything we've got going as school board "leadership" today.

The precious beauty of something not perfect

When we first moved to Morrisville, there was no music program or school band, because a previous board had cut the programs.

Fortunately, music instruction and the band were revived. In the beginning, a community band was formed so that burgeoning young musicians could play alongside spirited adults who knew how to play an instrument. Since then, Dr. Scott has built a core of instrumentalists who begin learning and practicing in elementary school.

In sixth grade, though most have had only a year or two of instruction, students become part of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School band. They practice together many hours each week at school, and put in additional hours at home to learn their individual instruments. They are required to keep a log of their practice hours, and I have witnessed firsthand how these students work with diligence and delight.

For some years, the Morrisville marching band played in matching T-shirts or even themed costumes, making do with what they had and still playing in the cold, at competitions, and community events.

Then along came a wonderful man named Ed Frankenfield, who thought these children deserved the dignity of wearing band uniforms. He fundraised and organized to make that happen. He cheered on the band and remained a faithful supporter. Though Ed has passed away, he left a shining legacy for all — he saw a need and put his energy into supporting, and lifting up the children he served.

Our daughter is small, even for a sixth-grader, but she carries a bass drum practically larger than she is, down Pennsylvania Avenue for community parades, across the football field in all sorts of weather, and she practices with all her heart. This we witness with joy and pride. The older students in the band support and guide their younger peers with kindness, even though the younger members’ skills may not be perfect. These students, Dr. Scott and the adults who work with young people every day to see that they have a bright future are to be commended.

That may seem obvious, but sometimes, something comes along to remind us that we can’t take anything for granted. The writer who attempted to argue for a Pennsbury merger by comparing school bands only succeeded in degrading our students.

I want every opportunity for all our children, and personally, I think Pennsbury would be lucky to have them. Sadly, there are people who can only see the glass half empty and miss the precious beauty of something perhaps not perfect, but soulful. But more importantly, there are those like Ed Frankenfield who leave a lasting mark, through acts of kindness and support.

Patricia Coscia Morrisville

Editor’s note: Our apologies to Dr. Scott, band members and their parents. In retrospect, the letter should have been more heavily edited. We regret that anybody, particularly students, might have been hurt.