New standards were put in place last year for public schools that all middle school students receive music education of some sort. That means every kid gets at least a quarter of music, perhaps in addition to being in band and/or choir.
And the grumbling has ensued.
As we enter Music in Our Schools month in March, it’s important to note why music is so very important.
Many people enjoyed the halftime show of the Super Bowl, with Usher headlining. I’ll grudgingly admit it was a good show, though Usher isn’t someone who usually flips my waffle. Those who didn’t enjoy it immediately had other ideas of who they’d rather see. (Weird Al, anyone?)
The important thing is THEY WANT TO HEAR MUSIC.
I still have one of my favorite piano books. My parents bought it for a quarter at a garage sale. I don’t remember what it’s called because the covers are long since torn off through frequent use. I still pull it out to play songs from time to time. The first song I learned in there was “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin.
Years later, that same song was played repeatedly by Anton as he learned piano. Yes, it got a bit redundant, but I reminded myself that he was enjoying his musical experience. It’s likely that both he and I can still play it mostly from memory based on how often we’ve tickled the ivories with the melody.
Michelle and I decided we wanted to have both kids learn piano above any other activities. Sports are great, and Anton loved theater as well, but music is something that lasts a lifetime. And this is why it’s so vital to have it be part of every child’s life.
Not everyone is destined to play an instrument, though I think they should all try. Everyone CAN sing. Okay, not well, but I also think you can improve through practice. I don’t think I’m great, but I’m better than I used to be through practice.
Don’t grumble about “having” to take music. Embrace the chance to understand the basics of the one language that ALL people understand.
I also listen to kids talk about wanting to quit band or choir. I implore them not to do that. I know that elective classes are limited in high school, but the musical opportunities extend beyond the classroom. Pep band was (and is) my favorite thing to do as part of my high school band class.
And you can take music with you if you choose to go to college. Winona State has a Thursday night band that plays with the regular band. When they’re all together for a concert, there are about 100 students on the stage and it’s magnificent. MSU-Mankato has the Maverick Machine, the group that plays for sporting events. They number upwards of 200 student musicians and really rock the house.
Both groups got to perform at the Minnesota Music Educators Association conference a couple weeks ago. That meant both my kids were in Minneapolis continuing their love affair with music. Jayna is working on her degree to become a band director and spends the majority of her time in the Performing Arts Center in Winona. Anton plays with the Machine and has been named one of the drum majors for this year.
Beyond the pride Michelle and I have for how involved our kids have stayed with music, I’m continually struck by the camaraderie shown among musicians on both campuses. Band is family and will be with you through the highs and lows. There is certainly a measure of ego when you are really good at playing or singing, but the sound created by the entire band is usually what resonates long after a performance is done.
I love the feeling I get when I nail those high notes on my trumpet or get the fingering right on a difficult piano piece. I love hearing the rest of the polka band I’m with really hit our stride, and hearing a church congregation sing loudly is gratifying. And I wonder how many people are missing out on those feelings.
Occasionally, I’ll step in to sub for band since the junior high meets during my prep time. It’s so much fun to wave the baton and talk to kids about how to improve the song they’re playing. The first time I do it in any given year, the kids are amazed. “But you’re an English teacher!” Yes, but music is so important, and I love to share my knowledge of it with others. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a whole language unto itself, and once you speak that language, you’ll never forget it.
Studies show that music helps people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s often music that will bring people back to their lost memories or even into the present. You might remember the song from your high school prom or your wedding. When they say you’ll never forget it, with music, that’s likely true.
Encourage your children and grandchildren to try band and/or choir and then to stick with it. My kids weren’t always enamored with everything they had to do with band, but they’ll tell you how grateful they are that we had them take piano lessons. Jayna has found a career and Anton has found his people in college through the magic of music.
Rock on!
Word of the Week: This week’s word is bunkum, which means nonsense, as in, “The kids thought it was bunkum that they had to take music class until they saw how much it related to their lives.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!