If the education system in Florida were anthropomorphized and casted in a horror flick -- we'll name him Ed -- he'd be the happy chubby guy that gets slashed while looking for sticks to roast marshmallows. The "experts" are hacking and slashing away at poor old Ed, and unfortunately this has led school districts across the state to minimize or eliminate music education courses.
The attack on arts education is not new. Entire college courses for music majors are built around advocacy and the benefit of music education to students on academic, social, and personal levels. Music teachers are encouraged to pass the information along to parents in hopes that they, too, will advocate for school music programs. It seems like music teachers spend as much time defending their programs as they do running them.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of school board people and politicians don’t put much importance on what music teachers have to say, because they think all they want to do is save their jobs. It doesn’t matter how much science is out there that supports music education if the decision-makers think teachers have ulterior motives. This is when the "music moms" of Hernando County roll up their sleeves and speak their minds.
"There is more to school the "reading, writing & arithmetic"; our children need an artistic outlet, and music is so important. It is also proven that children who learn musical instruments do better in academic classes. (Plus, for me, I never would have known my daughter had it in her for the violin. Not only does she love it; she's really GOOD!!!!)" -- Julie Volkert-LaFountain
"I wouldn't be able to afford private lessons. He's in jazz playing trombone, marching band playing euphonium, and in All-County playing tuba. The experience he gets playing in all of these venues is priceless!! He could not gain all the talents he's developed without being in all of them. Band is wonderful thing for our kids. It gives them a reason to just be someone and develop their love of music and not to mention keep them out of trouble!! If music were to be dropped in our county, we'd move away!" -- Marie Ryan
"My sons have taken some private lessons in the past, but now I could not afford private lessons. Music is as important as the 3 "R's". It is a motivator, and it is a proven fact that music is good for the brain. My children have always had music in there lives. EVERY SCHOOL NEEDS MUSIC!!" -- Deborah Helm
"I find it extremely aggravating that whenever there are any budget issues, the immediate thing to be threatened is the arts. I will also admit that maybe before my daughter was in band I may have agreed with those cuts. Learning the flute, the reading of music, the bonds, the possibilities for colleges, future career opportunities, the self esteem and knowledge that you know how to do something that not everyone can do are all the reasons why I feel blessed that my daughter is in band. If something needs to go, and go now, it is the FCAT. It's a waste of time and money and does nothing but hurt our children. I wonder how much money it costs to administer that useless test each year!" -- Christine Sipko
"I would have to say that if it wasn't for band being available in school, I would not be able to afford private lessons along with the cost of an instrument. My son plays the tuba for marching band and the baritone and trombone for jazz and concert band. The experience he gets playing all of these instruments is priceless, and has also taught him how to multitask. He has expressed that being in band is like being in a big family. They support each other and help each other excel. I also feel him being in music has helped him with his self-esteem. Music and the music teachers he has had have helped him cope with events in his life that have put stress on him. Band is a great, wonderful, life changing activity, and these are just some of the reasons why I believe band should be kept in schools. My biggest reason for keeping band in school is that kids who live in small towns have nothing positive or fun to do. Most kids have to travel 30 miles to be able to do activities. School activities teach them to stay out of trouble and teach them to help in their community. If they want to do away with something, it should be the FCAT." -- Kandi Middleton
"Music is definitely the most rewarding thing in my child's life. Her music classes are what motivates her to do as well as she can in her academic classes, so that she is free to take as many musical electives as her schedule will allow. Her musical talent and the opportunity to express it are what have given her self-esteem enough to cope with her teenage years. Music, and a certain music teacher, have literally saved her life." -- Suzie Forman
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