Music has always been a part of my life. When I was pregnant, I was one of those Moms that sang out loud and put headphones with classical music against my belly. I know, silly. But could it possibly have impacted how much my son lives and breathes music today?
There is an overwhelming amount of data and information that supports music as a fundamental component of human culture and development. Music education is linked to enhanced cognitive development, emotional intelligence, academic achievement, mental health, diversity, cultural inclusion and joy. Do a simple search online and you’ll be inundated.
Yet, in the state of Washington, budget cuts in recent years have threatened the presence of music education and performing arts in our public schools. Programs that were once nationally and internationally recognized, educators who are award-winning masters of teaching and promoting excellence are being deprioritized. Music seems to no longer be recognized as a major contributor to student achievement and overall school success, even though we hear story after story of how music saves lives, brings kids to school and drives up graduation rates.
According to The Balancing Act exercise published by the school board on March 7th, one option to reduce costs is to eliminate band and orchestra for 5th grade or both 5th and 6th grade. I recognize there are many other critical services and funding included in this exercise – it’s not just music. However, my focus for the moment is on the impact of eliminating 5th & 6th grade band and orchestra. Secondary school music programs are fed by these programs and rely on this early exposure to fill classes. Eliminating these classes would be like cutting the feet off the high school programs. Without the foundational learnings from elementary band and orchestra, middle and high school music students would struggle with lower quality, lower engagement and loss of major benefits that music education provides to a vulnerable population. We will also likely see expansion of inequities in music as more wealthy families could pursue private music education.
Last year, I attended a meeting between the superintendent, parents and music booster members from all four area high schools. In this meeting, the superintendent was asked what the district’s vision is for performing arts education. While there wasn’t a clear vision shared that day, in that moment my vision became clear: music education should be considered a fundamental academic subject in school. It’s not an elective. This is true in many countries around the world but not yet realized in the US. I don’t know how we will get there but I know it’s something I will work for. And I don’t envy the ESD Board and the difficult decisions they have to make this year. The choices are not easy.
As a parent, there are few moments that compare to realizing your child has found a joy, passion and pride that they will undoubtedly carry for the rest of their life. I saw my son find this at Mountlake Terrace High School, through an established, award-winning music program and a passionate and brilliant teacher. If you’ve experienced this, or want to, then get involved where you can. It will take work and it will take time, but music and performing arts can be reprioritized as a critical part of our public education system.
Start at MTHS Save the Music. Learn more about the benefits of music education and ESD as a leading music education hub by checking out some research that parents and community members pulled together for our Save the Music effort.
–Carolyn Harvey, MTHS Music Boosters President
Deb – thanks for sharing your story. Congrats to both of your kids for finding their joy and making it their lives. This is exactly why these programs are so critical in our schools. There are many other students with similar experiences. My son also had Mr Alison, Ms Zumbo and now Mr Faul. He also wants to go into music education. Whether he does or doesn’t, he’ll always be a musician. And we’ve probably seen your son play as we go to SJRO shows on occasion. Sharing your story is exactly how we can impress upon the critical decision makers – thank you for doing so.
Carolyn, Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration of this important matter. Our daughter found her voice in BTMS choir, and then MTHS Dynamics. She continues to sing, married her high school sweetheart whom she met through the performing arts programs at MTHS. Music is still a prominent part of their lives. Our son found his passion at the age of 4 at an MTHS quad concert when the jazz band played. He pointed his little finger and said, “That. I want to do that!” A clear and profound statement. 5 years later he started the obligatory recorder lessons. A year later the school boundaries shifted and he was moved to Brier Elementary where he had the life-changing experience of meeting Mr. Brad Alison. Mr. A fanned the flames of our fledgling musician, moving up from recorder to clarinet, and then saxophone. At BTMS the music class was cut because of budget constraints. We parents became advocates and fundraisers which, thanks to Ms. Zumbo, provided the zero period class preparing our students for the goal of participating in MTHS Jazz. As it turned out, three boys, our son included, now deeply bonded band brothers, were accepted into Jazz 1, the highest level, as freshman. That was a rare occurrence. That year Jazz 1 competed in the Essentially Ellington competition and ranked 6 out of 15 bands in the nation. As a graduating senior, our son was still uncertain of his next steps. Due to the experiences and connections he encountered through the music program, he received a personal invitation to study as a private student with a world-renowned musician who taught at Manhattan School of Music and Julliard University. At the tender age of 18 he moved to NYC to pursue music. All of this is because he encountered music at the age of 4. In conclusion, these band brothers increased in numbers, completed high school, participated in collegiate music programs and graduated with degrees in music education and performance. Our son is now employed by Seattle Jazz Repertory Orchestra, focusing on the Jazz Scholars program, as well as education and program development. As it happens, Mr. Alison is a member of SRJO and we have come full circle. I don’t know how to impress upon critical decision makers the impact of the arts on the human soul. Creativity in all forms are essential to living our best lives, and creating a strong community in which people can thrive.