Drawing Lines On Christmas Music In Public Schools

Holiday music is a particularly difficult subject in public schools in December. On Oct. 11, the Greece Central School District near Rochester, New York adopted a resolution providing that in order to recognize the nation's rich cultural heritage, the Board approves "all holiday music to be studied, performed, and presented within the district without differentiation due to title." Apparently this language was intended to adopt the policy set out in a memo to the Board from Louise Trucks, the district's arts director. Today's Rochester Democrat and Chronicle describes the memo: It says that sacred music at school assemblies should be included for educational purposes, and that educational information about the music can be given in program notes or verbally. It continues: "Some selections, those in which the text particularly implies or encourages worship, would not be appropriate in school settings." The memo gives "O Come, All Ye Faithful," as an example. However, according to the memo, "Silent Night," because it is "descriptive in nature and does not request a particular religious behavior," would be acceptable if accompanied by educational text.