The world is changing before our eyes faster than we could have imagined. Things we used to take for granted can no longer be expected and many of us are fighting to hold on to values which seem to be quickly fading. The problems facing music teachers are too large and most of the time, beyond their control. Because of this, many want to simply give up. Kids face issues and decisions that are beyond anything we could have ever imagined. With this, we’re beginning to face the elimination of music programs. Music offers so much value to students who are willing to grasp the opportunity of being in an ensemble such as band, choir, or orchestra. It’s become way too simple for anyone who doesn’t understand to underestimate the value of a music program.
There’s a unique aspect to a music program which students will have trouble finding elsewhere. Performances give special opportunities where students experience a sense of community. They have a sense of excitement through unity and self-expression and understand the importance of working together with peers and teachers. These students learn how to fit into a community, how to be team players, and how to do their fair share. That alone may be the greatest lesson of all: learning about challenges and standards and that the achievement of excellence is a process, not an event. Being part of a music organization, whether it be band, choir, or orchestra, provides a “society” or “family” to which all students can belong. It’s a place where they can learn to depend on each other in their pursuit of excellence. They learn about responsibility and sticking to a common goal. They learn to value people and not make judgements on first impressions. Students who participate in even the most basic music programs acquire a stronger ground for their adult life than any other opportunity open to them.
The thrill of performing and recognition is way too infrequent in today’s younger generation. Without the experience of a music program in their lives, many would never know this joy. There are few opportunities for students to learn to be imaginative and creative — qualities that are very important when dealing with today’s society. You would be hard-pressed to find other places that teach a student to measure his or her self-worth on standards that are slowly fading away in today’s world. Few educators have the opportunity to reach students to the degree the music educator can. These teachers get to deal with everything ranging from the artistic, athletic, mathematical, psychological, social, to the leadership development of hundreds of students. Musical ensembles are the prime marketing devices for music education. Only through concerts and competitions do they get to reach the community and let them experience first-hand the values of what he or she brings to their children. Music educators put in more hours of work than any other educator, but few can relate to the “spiritual” credit when they put together the list of successes the students experience through their efforts.
The music program today is, as it always has been, a celebration of effort. It holds a guarantee of enthusiastic and healthy kids, all of whom are supported by the director and booster parents; it’s important to never doubt the importance of this opportunity. Everything in life that’s worth doing takes a huge commitment and effort. The rewards from teaching more secure, open-minded, stronger, and committed students will make it all worthwhile. The students give the director energy and motivation as they demonstrate standards and rewards. It’s a privilege for a student to be an active member of a music program. When thinking back to my own high school years, it isn’t the classes I took that I remember most. It’s the experience I had in band and the friends I was with that I remember. I was never one of the so-called “popular kids” in school, but when I was with the band, I felt like I truly belonged because everyone was friends with everyone — all 150-something of us. Not to mention the things we did or the trips we went on. Two of my most favorite moments in my life happened with the band — playing at Carnegie Hall, and winning 1st place at a marching competition when we beat out the 7-time grand national champion Marian Catholic by a percent of a point. Those memories will last a lifetime.
In every young student’s life, there’s a point when they don’t know themselves or their potential. Many times, they don’t even know how to discover their potential. It’s so common for them to get caught up in the social and peer issues of life that they do not think of potential beyond that area. A music program helps students to discover their strengths and weaknesses. It even helps the students overcome weakness. For example, the marching band’s unique structure (removing students from a classroom to a practice field) allows for a new set of standards and values to be introduced. A music program enables a student to explore different concepts that aren’t based on popularity, beauty, or athletic ability. The reward is given to those who make a commitment to excellence and do his or her job within the community of the program. They’ll learn to respect not only themselves but others. In most cases, this respect is based on a completely different set of values than the typical teenager experiences today. It’s important not to rate a student’s success only on achievements in the verbal and logical areas of study. While that’s important, and in addition to that, it’s what they can do that will measure their success, not what they can’t.
A well-planned, well-taught, and well-structured music program could easily be the most important and memorable part of a child’s life. It provides a student with the possibility of being a “no fail” area in their life. Educators in this field have a unique opportunity to make a difference in youngsters’ lives in a powerful way. It’s more than just dealing with those who want easy A’s, it’s more than just creating a successful program, and it’s more than just teaching how to read and play music. It’s about teaching life lessons and the memories, the hard work, and discovery of one’s self. It’s about learning harmony — both the musical and the personal.
-JA
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