I think all of us who are past the age of 30 and still playing, can attest to the truth of the following sentence:
The attitudes which are established in the music room will have untold consequences in the formation of habits and attitudes in all other phases of the students’ lives.
William D. Revelli
Source: Reflections on a Career in Music Education By William D. Revelli. In the Music Educators Journal, November – December, 1963, p. 76
At the time, Revelli was a Professor of Wind Instruments and Conductor of Bands in the School of Music, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In today’s age of education cut-backs, programs like the arts tend to be the most vulnerable. Ironically, it is exactly through the arts that some of the most disenfranchised youth can find a voice, and sense of self.
This voice and sense of self can be exactly that, which allows them to step out of their at risk status. If anything, we should be funding the arts more, not less, in these times of economic uncertainty.
Hi Helen,
my musical education began around 7 years old. I was born in July of 1988, btw. I learned from a famous clarinetist, Dr. Eisenhower (who played with Benny Goodman for 40+ years and was about 80 years old when I met him), to play clarinet and saxophone. The lessons only lasted about 3 practices and I practiced at home the rest of the time. Around August of 1995 is when I had my first and only concert with Dr. Eisenhower at a nursing home for the elderly. Dr. Eisenhower was very inspirational to me at that young of an age and he later passed on to heaven in the late 1990’s.
Since then I’ve been in many school bands, Atlantic Pops Community Band, John Walter Community Band, Cape May County String Band, Blackbird Society Orchestra, Ferko String Band, and Broomall String Band, and other mentionables.
Going through all of those bands and teaching yourself takes a lot of self-discipline and committment. All skills that people will need later on in life.
Hope this helps out your blog Helen.
Musically,
Christian Halpin