FWCD 50th Anniversary - History of the Kindergarten Rodeo

The History of the Kindergarten Rodeo

By Dan Bloch H’06 When I moved to Fort Worth from Chicago in 1969 to begin teaching fifth grade at Fort Worth Country Day, I brought four essential things with me: a love of good books, a love of sports (mainly Chicago teams other than the White Sox), a great passion for working with young people and a banjo. Today, 45 years later, I am still an avid book collector; I've added the Horned Frogs and the Dallas Mavs to my favorite teams; I continue to love working with young people (though now that includes not only students but virtually all of my colleagues except Chuck Maddux!); and I now have four banjos.

It was the banjo that got me involved with FWCD’s Kindergarten Rodeo, which is now one of my most favorite experiences at FWCD. Melinda Miller saw me playing for my class one day, and asked if I would accompany the “It was the banjo that got me involved kindergarten for “Deep in the Heart of with FWCD’s Kindergarten Rodeo, which Texas” for that first rodeo in 1969 I was glad to do it. I squeezed in beside the is now one of my most favorite parents in the little, kindergarten room, experiences at FWCD.” which now comprises the Advancement Office and strummed along while the students sang. Because the room was so small, the rest of the Lower School could not attend—it was just a kindergarten parent event. Following my first rodeo, I asked Melinda if I might play along while the students performed, and that next year I began what has been an ongoing role with this now beloved kindergarten tradition.

Some of the rodeo events are unchanged from those early days. The bucking broncos and steer wrestling were the main events, each lasting much longer than they do today. Calf scramble was an early addition. Bull riding had to wait for the invention of those big rubber balls with handles.

The number of events expanded when the number of kindergarten classes

Melinda Miller

grew to four. The music also has changed. For years it was one song with a banjo accompaniment. Under Christine Derber, the number of songs has increased, and the presentations are far more elaborate and polished—even providing the opportunity for solos. Even now, 45 years later, I have a wonderful time playing for the rodeo. I try to pace the music to the event. I have some songs that I play every year, and some that I throw in Christine Derber off the top of my head. I’ve even been known to throw in a Beatles or Dylan tune every once in a while. It all seems to work, and the rodeo is well received each and every year. For me, the Kindergarten Rodeo is an opportunity to begin developing relationships with the kindergarteners that can last another 12 years.

Who knew in 1969 that students would be performing in the Kindergarten Rodeo 45 years later? Mrs. Miller’s idea has become a unique and treasured part of Country Day life. When you think about the concept, you have to be struck by the ingenuity of the idea. When I reflect on all the presentations I have seen over the years, both as a teacher and as a student in a private school, most of the performances put on by young children followed a very similar format: Children would stand in rows and sing songs or recite verse in unison. The more introverted children would simply mouth the words— and some wouldn’t even do that—while the less inhibited would dominate the stage with their personalities.

Mrs. Miller was a rare individual who realized that the reticent child would only perform in a non-threatening situation. The Kindergarten Rodeo became the perfect venue. In this program, there is room for the rambunctious cowboy or cowgirl to explode across the room, while providing the opportunity for the meekest to prance daintily in a controlled manner.

Personalities are clearly expressed without any intimidation. No student is forced beyond his or her own comfort zone, which makes this event a hit with children as well as parents. It has been interesting for me to see what the wild bull rider or timid rope twirler in kindergarten grows into by the time they reach me in fifth grade. Usually, the personality trait remains to some degree.

Throughout the years, the Kindergarten Rodeo has become somewhat more stylized with more elaborate props and backdrops. The program itself is perhaps more structured as well, but the essential element—the freedom for each student to express himself or herself as a unique individual—is unchanged from the early days. It was a great privilege to work with someone like Melinda Miller early in my career. Her insight into the minds of young people helped me to form my own approach to teaching. I’m glad that the Kindergarten Rodeo continues to be true to the genius of a great teacher.