Tim McDuffy

Thank you for the wonderful story about the young man with talent and heart to match, Tim McDuffy (Aug. 28)! And bless those who helped him along the way. Today, everything seems right with the world.

C. QUINN, Lake Arrowhead

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Congratulations on your coverage of McDuffy’s accomplishments, and the opportunities that have now been presented to him. He has learned that the gift of talent is a challenge, often accompanied by hardships.

How sad it is that so many young people must learn their art in spite of their parents and without an adequately supported public education system. Here in Los Angeles, with the finest artistic resources in the world, every budding musician should have a chance. Each neighborhood school should offer a full range of opportunities to study vocal music, band and orchestra as well as the other arts disciplines that help make young people into well-rounded adults. Instead, some of the finest teachers in the world are spread too thin and qualified administrators are left without the financial resources to do the job. Too often, true talent is unrecognized, and young people express themselves through frustration and rage.

McDuffy’s mentor, Ndugu Chancler, and his colleagues have made unusual commitments to the lives of young artists. I would like to invite additional members of our community to help do the same by contacting the Los Angeles Community Coalition for Music Education at (213) 225-5067.

CONSTANCE E. HOOD, Los Angeles

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Why must you disparage one school in order to enhance another? Did your reporter have to say that Crenshaw’s band is almost nonexistent to praise Hamilton’s musically gifted magnet? Has she heard Crenshaw’s band play? Evidently not! They do quite well, thank you.

MARY E. CRUTE, Los Angeles