Making a Difference: Music in Our Schools
What would a football game be without a marching band? How about a flag presentation by JROTC without a drum beat, or a holiday concert without a choir? Music adds life and color to events of all types, and music in our schools helps make a difference now and in the future.
According to a recent Harris Interactive® poll of more than 2,500 adults, 75 percent were involved in some type of music program, such as band or chorus, while in school. The poll linked music education to higher learning and higher earnings. Only 65 percent of those with a high school graduation or less participated in music education, while 86 percent of college graduates participated in music education. In addition, 83 percent of people with an income of $150,000 or more participated in music education.
Music at GCS
Mark Freundt, advanced piano teacher at Weaver Academy, understands the importance of music in our schools and the lifelong impact it can have. “My goal is to help a student develop a passion for music that lasts a lifetime,” says Freundt.
The Weaver Academy music program teaches and guides students at an intermediate level and provides several opportunities throughout the year to prepare for performances. The rigorous program covers technical studies, creates opportunities for solo and ensemble recitals, emphasizes class discussion and provides feedback on ways to improve.
Mark Freundt, piano teacher at Weaver Academy
listens
to his student play during music practice.
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Elementary students playing the Clarinet.
Kate Burkhalter, a 10th-grader in the music program at Weaver Academy, has always loved playing piano and is interested in studying music education in college. “We get to do a lot of interactive things in class from juggling and duets, to working with an ensemble of 20 people,” says Kate. “Our teachers are amazing, and it makes learning fun.”
Music in Our Schools Month
The month of March is set aside by the National Association for Music Education (MENC) as Music in Our Schools Month, a month long celebration of school music. The MENC offers several suggestions for music celebration in school.
Some of those include:
- Plan an all-school sing.
- Hold a talent show that emphasizes the use of music, whether singing, playing an instrument, dancing to music or reading poetry or stories about music.
- Work with your students to create a musical wall collage featuring music, instruments and musicians found in magazines.
- Invite a community music group to perform at your school.
- Develop an essay contest with a theme of, “How is
music a part of your everyday life?”
Music is key to the development of a well-rounded student and can emphasize not only lessons on reading notes or playing the right keys, but also teach lifelong skills such as discipline and how to work together to create a common goal. According to Freundt: “It comes as no surprise that students who study music more often do well academically. This is in large part due to the spillover of disciplined practice that the study of music requires. And through all of this, music is able to stir and move our hearts.”
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