As I recall, the lessons were only about 20 minutes, and not everyone wanted or took lessons. The orchestra had about 35 kids, the band about 45. There was a separate choir and choir teacher. It was certainly do-able. There was a lot of wonderful music in the curriculum in my NYC public grade school back in the 1960's.
Then in the rural area of NY where I live now, my kids got lots of music too in the public middle school and high schools.




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