Is the glass half full or half empty? (Dear Reader).

As you know, there is no right or wrong answer to the question--just differing views. And there are those who will go on to say that those views are pessimistic, optimistic or realistic. That is the case with an e-mail I received regarding the December/January 2001/2002 issue of AMT:

 
      To the Editor, 
 
      The December/January 2001/2002 edition of American Music Teacher was a 
   real blockbuster--or should I say teacher-buster! 
 
      To ease the glut of wanna-bes in our profession ("It's Supply and 
   Demand, Stupid"), college counselors can now just give this issue to all 
   prospective music majors. Their career path will be redirected in good time 
   once they see: 
 
      --"Teachers are not Criminals"--and find out just how nasty their future 
   neighbors will be when they attempt to set up a studio in their homes 
 
      --"Shaping Perceptions"--and find out their position on the income 
   ladder will be below that of a janitor and 
 
      --"Sued for Malpractice" and find out they'd better run as fast as 
   possible toward pre-Law so they can represent their former classmates when 
   they are sued for being mediocre teachers. 
 
      Phew! Give us a break! Our profession is difficult enough without this 
   doom and gloom ringing in our New Year. 
 
     I hope you will resume your usual balance in your articles--soon! 

While this member believes the December/January issue presented "doom and gloom," others have praised the articles and, in fact, we've had more requests for reprints of articles from that issue than we ...