[X] Will Xylophones Survive?

Dear Friends,

Music education is a critical part of a complete education and has incredible benefits besides just teaching music.  Unfortunately, music education is often one of the first things to go when budgets get tight.  The latest rounds of cuts in government spending will undoubtedly hit music (and other arts) programs very hard and many will probably be completely eliminated. 

The Huffington Post sponsors a student blogging contest entitled "Students Sound Off".  In May they published a blog by Jonathan Murray Hinely about why music education is essential (here).  Among the reason he gives for music education being essential are:
teaches patience

teaches that hard work pays off
keeps kids off the streets
music students get better grades on standardized tests
gives students a sense of community
provides a refuge and reason to go to school particularly for at-risk students
teaches leadership and
gives students a sense of pride.

We should listen more to our children they can have great insight.

I had the opportunity to attend a Salzburg Global Seminar on the transformative power of music last spring.  One of the great outcomes of that seminar was a statement by the people at the seminar about the necessity of music education.  The opening paragraphs read:

The Salzburg Global Seminar meeting on The Transformative Power of Music believes that music is a proven gateway to engaged citizenship, personal development and well-being. Only through urgent and sustained action can we foster a new generation of energised, committed, self-aware, creative and productive members of society.

The inspiration and rewards unleashed by music are universal benefits that must be available to all as a human right. All children from the earliest age should have the opportunity to:
· unlock musical creativity,
· fulfil musical potential,
· develop musical expertise,
· shine for their musical achievements,
· encounter great music from all cultures, and
· share their new-found skills of creativity, teamwork, empathy, and discipline.

Providing these opportunities should be the responsibility of society supported by the education system, arts organisations, media and funding bodies working together.

You can read the full statement here.

Thanks for reading and please comment,
The Unabashed Liberal