Music Appreciation, Thing Of the Past for Middle?

Editor:
As I watched and listened on a Monday night, I became enveloped, from my seat in the packed PAC (Performing Arts Center), Court House. As my eyes traveled from child to child, to conductor and back again, I felt myself entranced by the movements and expressions on the faces of the music makers before me. So happy and proud with the sounds they created alone and together.
Bodies moving, heads bobbing, fingers snapping, the head-to-toe joy they exhibited while sharing their musical talents, whether they were singing or playing an instrument. Their mood traveled like a wave and could be seen washing over the sea of faces filling every chair.
The evening’s finale introduced band members from the Class of 1973 to the Class of 2017. Scores of Middle Township music makers past, present and future were on stage side by side, many with that marching band “eyes to the sky head tilted back” stance. It was a wonderful night…magical…a video that will be seen and heard in the minds of those who were there to be enjoyed over and over. Joyful, proud, and sad.
We are a nation that prides itself on the value of mathematics through money, business, weights, measures, and more, yet we seek to eliminate a program that helps develop the higher learning of the science. Studies show, Music and Math aptitude are linked. Being taught to appreciate or express the works of our great composers in all categories of music should be taught by the experts. Taught in our schools by those who have felt the passion and the call to pass it on to our youth, our future.
As my daughter proudly joined those on stage, as a four-year member of Middle Township’s Award Winning Marching Band with her graduating Class of 2010…my emotions peaked. I thought: without Mrs. Weber, who introduced her to the flute and encouraged her conquer the breathing technique critical to playing…without Mr. Sterling, who brought forth the message, the passion and spiritual expression through music…without Mrs. Russ, who made a family of her marching band instilling musical pride, honor, to be the best they could be…without the teachings of these musical specialists and others, if only for a short time while performing… I believe my daughter would not have entirely developed many of the positive characteristics that make her who she is today.
Music is not just about notes on paper or sounds in the air… it is so much more. Please speak out to help keep the music programs in all Middle Township schools.
BARBARA GUERRA
Del Haven