To the Editor:

My name is Bryan Cady, and I wear multiple hats in our community. I am a parent of 14- and 16-year-old students at Guilderland High School who are actively involved in the theater program. I am a public-school music teacher (Albany) of 27 years, and also own and operate three music-lesson studios (Guilderland Music Academy, Scotia Music Academy, and Latham Center for the Arts) and will be celebrating 20 years of being in business this month.

I feel compelled to say thank you for your editorial addressing the Guilderland Board of Education’s recent dialogue surrounding “My Favorite Year” [“Art reflects life and inspires us to reflect on our own lives,” The Altamont Enterprise, April 10, 2025].

 It was incredibly supportive while also acknowledging that there are no wrong feelings here, but more interpretations of what we all bring to the table whether while seeing a play, reading a book, or watching a movie. As you said, and as I believe, the purpose of art in any form is to inspire emotion, thought, and dialogue.

The cautionary piece, in my opinion, is the idea of increased oversight on how these shows are chosen. The idea that one could find any musical (or anything for that matter) that won’t possibly offend a person or group is unrealistic.

The history of Broadway is rich, and diverse, and often rooted in the “signs of the times” in which they were written. Many of the most beloved shows can be found to contain some theme that someone will take offense to.

Even what is arguably, the most popular and significant new Broadway show of our time, Hamilton, creates division with its portrayal of the Founding Fathers as people of color while telling their stories through a genre rooted in hip hop and rap. And, again in my opinion, its rewards far outweigh any controversy.

As a parent, I know that Andy Maycock uses the storylines of the plays and musicals as teachable moments for his students, which foster appropriate dialogues and reflection.

Why would a veteran teacher who has brought so much to our community over decades of work now require an extra committee hoop to jump through to garner approval for a play or musical? The district has entrusted him to make these decisions and I do not feel that he has in any way acted in a way that has jeopardized that trust.

It begs the question of: Where do we draw the line in regards to oversight?

What happens if a school board member takes offense at what they deem to be a particularly aggressive play in a lacrosse game, which resulted in a student getting injured? Do our athletic coaches now need a committee to make sure that their plays are approved?

If the Wind Ensemble director, and let’s for argument’s sake, chooses to perform Modest Mussorgsky's “Night on Bald Mountain” (which many would consider standard and appropriate classical literature) do we then take issue with it because it depicts a witches’ sabbath that does not align with many Christian faiths? Would he then now need committee oversight over what repertoire he chooses?

Is there arguably a more misogynistic character than Gaston in “Beauty in the Beast?” But there was no outcry at the Guilderland High School production of that show, or following the Farnsworth Middle School production of it this year. Why? Likely because it’s Disney and we all love Disney in spite of many of its controversial themes.

It is my sincere hope that all the school board members read your editorial and that it caused some reflection on their part and that this particular line of thought isn’t pursued in a way that could be a detriment to the program and to an amazing teacher.

Thank you again for your excellent writing and perspective.

Bryan Cady

Guilderland