Music Education is a must for kids 8 and up.
Jul 27 '00
Music is an important part of every student and just as important as their core subjects. It builds a kid's self confidence and awareness of the whole picture and not just themselves. There have also been studies that link musical education to success in other subjects. Because of this, I am thrilled that so much attention is given to musical education in the schools.
For a long time, music programs were treated as extra curricular activities and not as actual classes; music education was always comparable to football or tennis programs that went on after school. It was treated as yet another class to fill in the gaps between core classes; music education was treated as a class to give kids a break from their core classes. The school system make a big mistake with this notion.
My "Band" Experience
Yes, I was in the band in high school. But the thing is, it helped me in more ways than it took up my time. Actually, it not only saved my sanity, but also taught me about seeing the "big picture" - a skill a programmer would go mad without.
Elementary Band
My musical education didn't start with high school, however. It started when I was counting my toes! I started out in beginner band. I cannot over exaggerate the importance of beginner band starting as soon as the third grade. Do you remember playing the recorder - that ugly plastic thing with seven holes? That was the start of my music experience. I remember looking at the notes on the page, remembering the fingerings for each, and attempting to play Marry Had A Little Lamb! Hey, that was a big accomplishment for me, almost as big as memorization of my times tables.
In the fourth grade, I had to move on to new heights. I also needed to move on to a new instrument. But which one would I choose? In case you're wondering, I chose the clarinet for reasons I can't remember. Hey, it's a start! Anyway, the fascination only lasted for about a week with no music so our elementary, mediocre band got some. WOW, this stuff's hard! No more book work for us, or at least for a while. When concert time came, we couldn't play the music we were given, we went back to the book and played Yankee Doodle for our concert. A whole year and no progress made.
Jr. High Band
Jr. High School was my turning point in music. I had finally found a teacher who can teach and believe me, HE TAUGHT! For the first time, I learned how to accent my notes, slur, and how to count. Other subjects also benefited from music. Math benefited from the counting aspect of music, Drama benefited from the styles of music I had to play, and my computers class (the programming unit in particular) benefited from such concepts as tenuto and legato. The self confidence that music builds also helped me to put full effort into school and fight peer pressure. My grades improved dramatically because of this.
Band also became more challenging. For the first time, I was required to practice. You've heard the phrase practice makes perfect, it definitely applies here. All of a sudden, I went from a terrible, mediocre band to a talented, BAND. All of a sudden, I learned how to play; I don't mean the learn to play gimmick that was in elementary band, what I mean is I actually learned to play! If you are trying to get your kids to play an instrument, be patient, this is the time where a child actually learns. Then it's off to high school.
High School and Marching Band!
In high school, a student will learn much more than they had in Jr. High. I thought I knew it all when it came to music... that is, until my first week of high school. There, in the band room and taking a playing test, I realized how much more work I had to do. In a band of about 150 people, almost 130 were better than I was and so I practiced more. I practiced to the point of almost neglecting my homework just so I could become a better player (and to show those seniors they're not all hot stuff). I became first chair clarinet by the time I graduated!
The other big transition was Marching Band. Marching is probably one of the hardest things on Earth! Put marching with playing and you've just thought up something that's almost impossible. I hated marching band to the fullest, but that's not to say I didn't learn anything from it. Here are some of the benefits of marching band:
1. Teamwork. Teamwork is one of the greater aspects of marching band. It is also one of the greater virtues a person can have. If you are fighting for a cause (such as "saving the rainforest") you will need teamwork skills to succeed. Does that mean that teamwork is also an essential part of epinions??!?? Marching Band teaches teamwork by requiring participants to walk and play notes together, in time.
2. Leadership Leadership skills are needed by at least one person in every team. Then if the conductor is the leader, how does marching band teach leadership? Leadership is taught by being a role model for those who are behind you. Since the band is doing formations and the like, whoever is walking ahead of another person is their leader and the person behind him/her copies their movements. This means that marching band not only teaches leadership, but also the fine art of taking orders.
As you can see, Marching band provides skills necessary for everyday life. Imagine how much better society would be if everyone were in band.
Conclusion
Hopefully I have showed you the importance of music education but also the steps a student takes when going through his/her music class. If you are looking for my opinion of music education, it is a must for kids. I have benefited more from my music classes then any other non-core class. If your student is around the 2nd and 3rd grade, try telling them about music education; you will never regret it.
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etrustman
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Location: Boise, ID
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