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keltic63
the kilted one
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Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 8574
Location: under the weather
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 Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:20 Post subject: Poll/not poll: Music
I got this in an email from what I assume is a college student writing a paper/survey for an English class. I have no idea what her connection to this school district is, but she somehow managed to send the email to every music teacher in this district. I thought you might enjoy reading, and even answering some of the questions. If I use your responses though, it will skew the survey. She wanted opinions of professional music teachers only.
| some college kid wrote: | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older
age?
Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school?
What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs?
Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections
are not current?
What would you define as an effective music program?
Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs
in schools are getting cut?
Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects?
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elkid
Member
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:24 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| Quote: | | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older age? |
Was heavily involved in playing music until I was 16. Now I just dance/run to it. 
| Quote: | | Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in school? |
Absolutely. Discipline and whatnot.
| Quote: | | Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections are not current? |
I think they lose interest because it's work.
| Quote: | | What would you define as an effective music program? |
One that gets kids involved, and that establishes a lifelong love for music within them.
| Quote: | | Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs in schools are getting cut? |
No. Lack of funds appropriated for the arts is the reason.
| Quote: | Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects? |
Yes. Discipline, discipline, discipline.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:24 Post subject:
How very timely.
A school district here is 26 mill. dollars in the red and is shutting down schools and shutting down music and art in the schools that are staying open.
It has been shown that the numbers the district is giving are far from accurate--so, due to mismanagement of funds (like paying a Superintendent sickening amounts of money for ineffective grandstanding) our kids get screwed out of music and art. 
One of my reasons for losing interest in choir and band was because of the outdated, slow music. (I can understand singing all kinds of music, but we never were given anything contemporary to sink our teeth into)
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Running Brewer
Member
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
Posts: 3872
Location: Santa Poco
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Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:27 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| some college kid wrote: | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older
age? I have never partaken in a music program
Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school? Yes!
What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs?
Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections
are not current?
What would you define as an effective music program?
Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs
in schools are getting cut?
Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects? I firmly belive that music is beneficial to may aspects of life. It also helps prepare kids to work hard towards a goal. To be more comfortable in front of an audience
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I am still made at my mom for not letting learn to play an instrument. 
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:32 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| Quote: | | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older age? |
Took piano lessons for about 2 1/2 years when I was a kid. Music in school through 8th grade.
| Quote: | | Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in school? |
Encouraged, yes. Made, no. Some kids just do not have the ability.
| Quote: | | Do you think that students lose interest because the music selections are not current? |
Yes.
| Quote: | | What would you define as an effective music program? |
One that gets kids involved, and that establishes a lifelong love for music within them. (elkid said this perfectly)
| Quote: | | Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs in schools are getting cut? |
No. Sports - especially male sports - are what's getting cut.
| Quote: | Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects? |
Yes. Discipline and creativity.
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Sahara
Member
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Joined: 17 May 2002
Posts: 3345
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Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:36 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| some college kid wrote: | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older
age? In fifth grade I studied flute.
Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school? Should all students? No. All students should have the opportunity and means if they desire though.
What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs?
Other than being vocal in my PTA (and to the occasional teacher and administrator) that the arts, including music, are very important part of the curriculum, nada.
Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections
are not current?
no
What would you define as an effective music program?
Not sure but I think that music appreciation as well as teaching an instrument could be included.
Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs
in schools are getting cut?No, I think that it has more to do with funding what some administrators perceive as a dispensible subject teacher's salary.
Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects?Yes. I recall a recent study that shows that math skills are greatly improved by those who have learned to read music.
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MastrBrewr
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Joined: 24 Sep 2003
Posts: 6974
Location: outside
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Posted: 03/19/04 - 14:55 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| Quote: | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older
age?
I took piano for a few months when I was in 3rd grade. Started band in school in 6th grade. Began taking classical guitar outside of school in 7th grade.
Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school?
Absolutely
What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs?
It's on a small scale, but I do help my niece with her music lessons. I have made a few donations to my high school's band program.
Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections
are not current?
Not sure. I think too many kids think music is "dorky", though.
What would you define as an effective music program?
Aside from programs that teach how to play music, I think composition isn't stressed nearly enough. It seems that would open up a great creative outlet for kids.
Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs
in schools are getting cut?
No. I think it's because the benefits of a music education are being drowned out by the need for great test scores in those "core" subjects. I could go on forever, but that sums it up.
Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects?
Yes. Lord knows how many studies have effectively proven the benefits of music/arts education on abstract reasoning/thinking/communication skills. You know, all that right-brained stuff that is underdeveloped in today's school systems. It seems everyone sort of belives that music/arts education helps develop more well-rounded children, but you don't really see anyone implement it.
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 17305
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Posted: 03/20/04 - 11:46 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| some college kid wrote: | | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older age? |
I started piano at three, then focused primarily on viola around age 10 I guess.
| Quote: | Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school? |
I don't know. All students should have primary music program definitely.
| Quote: | | Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections are not current? |
All I ever played was classical and for orchestra thats appropriate I think. I think there is definitely a place for learning the classics before tackling some of the more crazy contemporary stuff out there. At least speaking from an orchestra perspective
| Quote: | | What would you define as an effective music program? |
Giving kids an understanding of the various types of music out there enough to have at least an appreciation for it. If done really well then many kids will want to take up music further in chorus/orchestra/etc
| Quote: | | Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs in schools are getting cut? |
my guess would be no
| Quote: | Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other
subjects? |
Extremely. Across the board. Memory skills, creativity, math.... Too many benefits to name in I think every subject. From my personal experience in the primary regional youth symphony I was a part of in high school, all those kids did VERY well in school, primarily in math but we had a huge number proportionately of national merit scholars, valedictorians, etc etc etc. I personally attribute that to the fact that most of us were involved in music for most our lives.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 03/20/04 - 11:51 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| SCK wrote: | | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older age? |
Yes I was in the band starting in 5th grade
| SCK wrote: | | Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in school? |
No, just like sports it should be optional
| SCK wrote: | | What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs? |
Nothing
| SCK wrote: | | Do you think that students lose interest because the music selections are not current? |
Yes, and peer pressure from being labeled a band geek
| SCK wrote: | | What would you define as an effective music program? |
With anything, make it fun and interesting, and don't expect every student to be the best.
Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs
in schools are getting cut?
| SCK wrote: | | Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other subjects? |
Yes, it teaches disicipline, and encourages practice
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Gogirlgo
Member
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Joined: 25 Jul 2002
Posts: 4777
Location: No deal, stalker.
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Posted: 03/20/04 - 17:23 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| some college kid wrote: | | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older age? |
Wanted to play guitar. Started piano at 4; wasn't a good idea. Got in trouble for marking middle C in indelible ink on the piano. Hey all those keys look alike! Tried again at 8. Still wanted to play guitar. Tried violin at 9. Parents frustrated. I've been playing guitar since I was 10.
| some college kid wrote: | Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school? |
Yes.
| some college kid wrote: | | What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs? |
Same thing they can do to prevent library cuts, lobby their reps.
| some college kid wrote: | | Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections are not current? |
No. And you spelled "lose' incorrectly.
| some college kid wrote: | | What would you define as an effective music program? |
One that broadly engages students while teaching them the concepts and value of music.
| some college kid wrote: | | Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs in schools are getting cut? |
No, I think it's because music isn't deemed as critical as the other classes and they've got to cut somewhere. It's seen as expendable.
| some college kid wrote: | | Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other subjects? |
Yes, learning to persevere and practice are applicable to other areas.
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 03/20/04 - 17:52 Post subject: Re: Poll/not poll: Music
| some college kid wrote: | | As a child were you involved in music, or did you start at an older age? |
Oh yes....clarinet, flute, choir, madrigal singers, from probably about 2nd grade on. Didn't stick with the instruments but I sang and did the school musicals up through high school. We had a stellar music program back then!
| some college kid wrote: | Do you think that all students should learn to play an instrument in
school? |
From a personal prejudice, because I really liked it, yes. From a practical standpoint, I think it should be encouraged but not forced.
| some college kid wrote: | | What are you doing, or what can others do to save music programs? |
Get more involved with the school boards, keep an eye on what's happening at the government level, and hound those politicians!
| some college kid wrote: | | Do you think that students loose interest because the music selections are not current? |
Yes, that's part of it, but I agree with Pffff...the classics should be learned before you graduate to the modern stuff.
| some college kid wrote: | | What would you define as an effective music program? |
Well-balanced with performance, music appreciation and history, and exposure to all types of music, including world music and the classics.
| some college kid wrote: | | Do you think the lack of interest in music is why the music programs in schools are getting cut? |
I think it's mainly what everyone else said, the arts are just not considered "critical" and when funds are cut they are the first to go. But I do think a healthy participation level might raise more allies to fight the fight to keep music in our schools.
| some college kid wrote: | | Do you think the skills learned from music are beneficial to other subjects? |
MOST DEFINITELY!!! I've been into music my whole life, and it has enriched me in ways too numerous to mention. I think everyone here has made good points on this topic.
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