Thursday, September 3, 2009

Music in Our Lives

I am so far behind in my blogging! What's a girl to do?

I have been quite caught up in an issue surrounding my school district. They want to take band and orchestra out of the curriculum for the fifth graders. In our school district, students learn the recorder in fourth grade and then they can choose a band or orchestra instrument in fifth grade. That's how it's been for years. Now they want to cut band and orchestra in fifth grade because music twice a week does not provide proper instruction.


Just so you know, this may get lengthy. I feel quite passionately about this subject. I played the violin in fifth grade through high school. If I had been given another year, I don't think I would have played an instrument. For those of you who don't know my story, I come from a very musical family. I majored in vocal performance in college. Music was my first love.

Our economy is in a devastating state, as we are all aware. Music has supported people through all economic times throughout history. Music in parks, on city corners, in Carnegie Hall. People flock toward good music. I hope you will agree with me when I say that these musicians were not born playing the violin or trumpet. They were taught and at a young age. It is a fact that one cannot achieve that high a level of proficiency if started as an adult. That being said, it stands to reason that these individuals were taught as young children.

Mozart was taught at a very young age and composing at the age of five. Though his father was a gifted musician, young Mozart was a very motivated and talented individual. But what would have happened if someone would have destroyed his piano? I would guess he would have become frustrated and ultimately given up. You never know when you will have a Mozart come along.

The entire thought makes me sick to my stomach. I cannot believe there are people out there who would destroy a child's desire to grow in a productive manner by cutting healthy, stimulating programs. People would never cut math because the thought process for the subject is too difficult to master. They'd never cut sports because it doesn't encourage scholastic desires. So why cut music? Music only helps children. Most of the top students participate in music programs. Unbelievable (and not in a good way)!

So, these have been my thoughts over the past week or more. I'm sorry for the tangent. There some things I just get a little passionate about.

1 comment:

Dean said...

The top 6 members of my graduating class were all musicians. Actually, out of the top 15 of us, over 10 were in the music program. That's huge!