Ahhh, ‘tis the season of joy, togetherness and love! No matter what the celebrant celebrates, one of the factors that is most loved about this time of year is the music.
As I prepare for a Christmas Eve performance of our little group of fellow musicians, my thoughts are of the people and era that propelled me to this yearly, joyful event of harmony (mostly…we ARE amateurs) and the memories the music brings. Even the non-religious tear up at a beautiful rendition of ’Oh Holy Night’ or ’Silent Night.’ ‘The Hallelujah Chorus’ can evoke even more tears and the hair-standing-on-end reaction when sung by a choir backed up with a full orchestra. And the processionals that herald a big event complete with antiphonal brass echoing in the balcony? Wow! There’s a chills-all-over event!
I’m sharing my personal story to explain why this subject is a passionate one for me and other musicians I know as we age. Yes, at 75 (and standing at the door of 76) this old bat can still enjoy playing and entertaining others on her trusty 62-year-old flute.
The daughter of a college music professor, my fate was sealed. Music would become part of my life, whether I liked it or not. Though my true passions were horses and softball, I did, indeed secretly appreciate music, as long as I was playing it and not having to sit still, IN A DRESS(!!), at a concert, of which there were many, since my dad was the music director. (Did I mention I was an overactive tomboy and in the ‘50s, girls wore dresses to everything?) After seven years the piano lessons finally ceased to my everlasting joy, since I had to sit still while practicing, listening to the neighborhood boys play softball outside without me, their best shortstop! I really wanted to play the drums but ‘girls didn’t play drums’ in a small Midwestern town in the ‘50s so the flute became my go-to instrument. In elementary, middle, and high school, band became my favorite subject…right up there with P.E. Then on to college where, again, band was one of the only subjects that I excelled in, along with college athletics. Later, participation in community bands and orchestras continued.
Why do I keep bringing up the athletic stuff, when this is supposed to fire y’all up about there being no music education in the schools here in the Sky Islands? Because I love sports and played softball, rather competitively, until finally retiring at 53. I was not just a ‘band geek’ but also appreciated the sporting world. My speed wasn’t as blazing as before and my arm was soring up from too many hard throws to first from third base, it was time to quit. My athletic career, except for equines, which I still ride, was over.
But my music still lives on!
I still have music to play, perform and practice—I’ve finally learned to sit still—and share with the community. I can do this until my flute-holding arm falls off. It helps with my memory, and, at my doddering old age, that is a real plus. It helps to keep me content, focused and still brings joy to me and hopefully those who are listening.
I think it is so very important for all kids to have the opportunity to at least be exposed to the prospects of learning to create music. Studies have shown that the majority of children who are playing an instrument and learning to read music also excel in other academics, especially math. Children often sing before they talk, dance before they walk and draw before they learn to write.
Music is played at all our large celebrations, happy or sad. What if the music stops? What if the kids growing up in underprivileged or non-musical households are never able to experience the joy of creating beautiful sound?
I write this as I hear of the ‘necessary’ money and ‘importance’ of fielding a sports team and then how we ‘can’t afford’ to support music programs. Heaven help the few kids eligible to play on a team who may not have a uniform! How about some of that effort goes into buying instruments and instruction for those kids? And there are a lot more of ‘those kids’ who may like to participate in music than there are athletes. Music is something they can pursue and enjoy throughout their entire lives.
Let’s not ‘drop the ball’ (pun intended) and let this important aspect of education, development, and an important symbol of a healthy civilization fall through the cracks of obscurity. As the saying goes, “Art decorates space, music decorates time.” What would our civilization be without these decorations?
Looking for answers here. Does anyone else care? How important does the community think this is? Is it worth fighting for? If so, what’s the first step? Inquiring musicians want to know.