Dear Parents,
I am sending this somewhat unconventional e-mail to speak to
you about the dangers our music department is facing. I am sure that most of you are aware that our
district is currently dealing with a financial crisis. Unfortunately, as a result, music courses and
musical opportunities have the potential to be cut and/or eliminated.
As most of you know, music is far more than just performing
in an ensemble. Countless studies have
shown that music education improves social skills, brain development, cognitive
abilities, critical thinking, and yes, even higher test scores. But I think most of us would argue that music
education is even more than that.
If music education is important to you and/or your child,
there will be an advocacy meeting in conjunction with the other music educators in the district and
the McDowell band aides program. We are all working tirelessly to “band”
together to help our cause. The meeting will discuss ways to get involved
and make our voices heard.
The meeting will
be held this Tuesday night, the 16th, at the Millcreek Sportsmen’s
club at 7:00p.m. Due to the clubs liquor license they are asking that we
keep the meeting adults only. At this meeting we can work together to
find an additional location for future meetings that could include student
input.
Please try to
attend and invite any parents you know that would be helpful in working with us
to preserve these essential performing arts and music programs in our
schools.
I leave you with a quote from Gerald Ford, former President
of the United States: “Music education opens doors that help children pass from
school into the world around them-a world of work, culture, intellectual
activity, and human involvement. The
future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete
education that includes music”.
Sincerely,
Jerry Anderson,
Walnut Creek Music Teacher
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