There are few things in life that all personality types enjoy like music. In fact, to say that we all just "enjoy" music is really not a sufficient description of the power of music. Most of us in fact NEED music in our lives. We listen to it for various reasons. Some of us listen for focus, ie. background music while we work. Others listen to experience the strength and energy communicated through music. Many more listen for the pleasure of experiencing the art of music for music's sake.
For those who perform music, listening and taking part in music first hand creates an experience like no other. This experience is of course very personal, very individual. As musicians we must remember that while music plays into our lives to a great extent, being a musician does not mean we alone appreciate music and as I stated above -- NEED music in our lives more than other -- this is not really the case.
Could music ever stop? Could there be a day when music instruction is so scarce that generations of humans have limited music options due to a lack of musicians? Some would argue that this will never happen. Humans are resourceful, finding ways to keep innate desires alive. Is music an innate desire? I do believe it is. But this thought offers little credibility to our lack of musical arts support in our world. We seem to want to test our own resolve by pushing more and more music out of schools. By doing so, we put more and more faith in the natural selection theory of musical survival.
For those who feel "I don't perform music", or "My child is not in band or chorus" is a reason to not support music in our schools and communities should think about how their lives would be affected by turning off the music. Imagine your world with no radio, no iTunes, no MP3s playing in the car, no XM. What would your world be like?
Supporting music does not mean we all need to be musicians. We just have to imagine our world without music. At times, we will have to fight for what we want, like now. Budget cuts are creating opportunities for schools to be rash and cut programs. State level programs are at risk (see my post regarding the PA Governor's Schools). We are at a point in history when available funds will not come easily. Innovation must take place, support must be consistent, communities must be creative and insistent, and individuals must step up and be heard.
I believe music is important to everyone who reads this. Do your part to ensure you and the next generation can enjoy music. We do NEED music!
Could music ever stop? Could there be a day when music instruction is so scarce that generations of humans have limited music options due to a lack of musicians? Some would argue that this will never happen. Humans are resourceful, finding ways to keep innate desires alive. Is music an innate desire? I do believe it is. But this thought offers little credibility to our lack of musical arts support in our world. We seem to want to test our own resolve by pushing more and more music out of schools. By doing so, we put more and more faith in the natural selection theory of musical survival.
For those who feel "I don't perform music", or "My child is not in band or chorus" is a reason to not support music in our schools and communities should think about how their lives would be affected by turning off the music. Imagine your world with no radio, no iTunes, no MP3s playing in the car, no XM. What would your world be like?
Supporting music does not mean we all need to be musicians. We just have to imagine our world without music. At times, we will have to fight for what we want, like now. Budget cuts are creating opportunities for schools to be rash and cut programs. State level programs are at risk (see my post regarding the PA Governor's Schools). We are at a point in history when available funds will not come easily. Innovation must take place, support must be consistent, communities must be creative and insistent, and individuals must step up and be heard.
I believe music is important to everyone who reads this. Do your part to ensure you and the next generation can enjoy music. We do NEED music!
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