I just finished watching Mr. Holland's Opus (great movie for those of you who haven't seen it), and it really upsets me everytime I think of the declining arts and music programs in schools! I'm not sure how many of you may have realized this, but everytime a budget cut occurs, arts and music are typically the first programs targetted. Why is this? Well, it's unfortunately simple.
Several arguments are made in an attempt to defend cutting arts and music programs. One of these is that the programs are "too much fun to be important and educational." Now if you ask me, that defense is crazy! Many people find enjoyment out of reading and writing, should we cut english and language arts out of our schools? The fact that a subject is entertaining does NOT, by ANY means, make it unimportant. Another argument is that, if music education is such an important aspect to an individuals life, then he/she will seek his/her own musical experience. However, if we don't have programs teaching students the fundamentals of music, it will be extremely difficult for an individual to explore. Without an ability to read and write music, the student cannot have a successful music experience beyond simple enjoyment of the sounds. The last argument I will present is one of the arguments I despise the most. That is that music is not as i mportant as reading, writing, science, and math. Well, I can certainly refute that argument.
You could easily do the research for yourself and I can guarentee you that it will only take you a matter of minutes to find all the ways that music (and the arts) improves a students abilities in reading, writing, math, and science. Music is a great workout for your synapses as well, whereas a lack of activity in your synapses would cause them to weaken. Furthermore, music uses both hemispheres of the brain. Music is a key ingredient to the developing brain. Students who practice music learn to read faster. You see, children learn to read in 3 stages. First, they recognize letters and characters. Next is the "sound-out" stage, followed by the third stage of reading words without the previous two stages. Music greatly helps the second stage in helping youngsters learn pitch fluctuations. Songs help students to learn what sound goes with what letters. As for math, numbers and fractions are found all throughout music! The time signiture itself is a fraction with the number of beats in a measure on top and what note gets the beat on the bottom. Tempo uses numbers and notes to determine the pace of the song, and harmony recognizes intervals between notes. Science, much like music, has a strict rule-based structure as well. Also, students who participate in music, regardless of social or economic background, score higher on standardized tests! Don't forget that music participation looks great on college applications as well!
I should also mention the sense of unity to music brings to school. Since the tragedy of Columbine, studies have shown that participation in music has risen. Music programs provide a sense of involvement and a welcome atmosphere to students. Furthermore, much like sports, music provides many options. First, there are many ensembles a student can participate in: chorus, band, jazz band, orchestra, chamber choirs, vocal jazz, a cappella groups, groups related to a specific instrument, and more. Next, there are many instruments for students to choose from (similar to the positions in sports). Students can play anything from trombone, to piano, to drums, to flute, to saxophone, and even their own voices! The opportunities are endless.
So you tell me, should music and the arts really be the first to go? I have an essay I wrote about this for my english 101 class that will provide some resources and all. Furthermore, I would just like to state that all my friends in the music programs are members of national honor society and various leadership/community service groups. We all get good grades and have a very bright future ahead of us.
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All you have to do is ask people who argue against music's effectiveness in developing minds, "How did you learn your ABC's? I'll bet the only way you could remember it as a little kid - and maybe even now - is by way of the song."
I completely agree with you: music and the arts are essential to raising intelligent children. There isn't much else to say because I think you've said it all.
Be aware, attend school board meetings, and be active about supporting music programs.
The Arts rock and should be the MAIN focus in all schools. Very well put EShults1! The Greeks understood the importance of the arts. Just a quick fact, if the money used for the Iraq War were spent on education, arts would be in ALL schools, as well as certified teachers and better facilities. So much could be done.
Well said, and I agree completely. I've posted a pointer on the Music Teaches site at http://musicteaches.com
They're attempting to drop the music program in my sister's school district and I am on the board of protesters trying to fight this change.
This upsets me to! Before I decided to change my major to Music Education, I asked my High School band director of job security. He said that arts are being pulled because people do Music Ed (and I know some people like this) because they think it'll be easy and hey - they like music, right?
There was not a middle school until recently from my area who hated their band director because they simply didn't care. My middle school band director made us buy these books and he'd put the cd on and go into his office and chill out or eat. However, it's people like us who actually care and want to teach and make a difference who will! For two years my hs program shrunk because the director sucked at dealing with kids - the last two years it grew enormously because the new guy was so great with kids. And very passionate and enthusiastic. If the arts are to stay in school, the teachers have to be passionate about it - and relate that to the students and the rest of the school.
I know band has always offered me a home away from home - these aren't "classmates", these are brothers and sisters.
You are a blogger after my own heart!
I attend a Cleveland Public school and we lost our band director at the end of my sophomore year. I am going on to be a flute performance and music education major at Kent State in the fall and I can testify that music is a necessity.
Programs like Vh1 save the music and hot topic's black wrist bands (music=life),(Rock the arts) make me smile...
YOu're so right music plays a key role in any and almost every education...t
Unfortunatly, music education can get very few people a job after school. I don't think of band as a essiential course. Even though the students generally provide their own instuments, and books. I'm not saying it's not a great way to learn or dosn't have educational value. But very few people get a job in an orchestra. Many more people are employed as artists. If I was making the descision band would go before art class. I mean isn't that why we have the school system, Too make kids ready to enter the work force?
~maybee sinclair~
Well I disagree. I was around serious arts education for most of my high school career. And while many of the students did go on to artistic careers, myself included, many of my classmates went to high traditional education colleges like MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Boston U, the list goes on. The thing about the arts is that it develops other skills like responsibility, creativity, and creates a better understanding of human society, not the mention art is scientifically proven to enhance brain ability. It isn't necessarily true about artists finding jobs. It is a common misconception that if you don't have a album out you are failing monetarily, but numerous jobs exist for those who have a strong background in the arts.
When I was in middle school I joined the band and picked up the clarinet. I regret everyday that I did not continue this through High School. But those 3 years helped instill in me a passion for music I have not forgotten. Now I play the guitar, bass, banjo, harmonica, and piano and am minoring in music.
Our schools are supposed to prepare us for careers that we have a passion for, this should include music.
music is veryimportant. its sad beacuse that is usualy teh first program a school with cut when theyhaev budge problems
Fine Arts programs are important in high schools for many reasons:
1. In Fine Arts concentrations such as theater, music, film, etc colleges expect students to have a portfolio or do an audition. How can you give a good audition or an outstandig portfolio without training. There are students who don't have they resorces or the time to go outside of school to work on their craft. It is much more convient to have an in school program
2. Without a music program how can a high school have a marching band for football games and pep rallies? I don't know about other schools but drum line and the band were important in my school. Also, at football games, some bands have battle during halftime. That could draw more ppl to come to the game thus selling more tickets and making money.
The schools should be using these programs to their advantage instead of trying to get rid of them. For example, if a school has a TV production club they could start a cable cast television show and bring the school some positive attention.
One reason why some school are getting rid of the art programs are because they need money. This was debated at my school. Yes the school needs money, but they decide to use it on stupid stuff (like decorating an already decorated school) and then get mad when they still don't have enough money for books and other things. Yes, some of these programs can get expensive but they are worth it. (in more, and better, ways than I listed)
**************If we take away the music and the arts, what left is there for the kids to read and write about?************
Jessie
P.S. I'm pretty sure that's not my own original thought, but it's definitely an intriguing question. I think I took that from Mr. Holland's Opus which is one of the greatest movies of all times!