1.       The skills gained through music instruction, include discipline and the ability to analyze, solve problems, communicate, and work cooperatively; all skills that are vital for success in the 21^st century workplace. 

2.   The arts are one of the six subject areas in which College Board recognizes as essential in order to thrive in college.  

3.      Students who participate in school music programs are less likely to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better attendance in school.  

4.      School music programs enhance intellectual development and enrich the academic environment for students. 
 

5.      Participation in the Marching Band and Eurhythmics (Color Guard) class will satisfy the high school requirement for Physical Education  

6.      You will learn to pay attention and follow directions. Failure to pay attention on the marching field can mean being trampled by a phalanx of quick-marching sousaphones. Band members must listen to directions and keep their minds focused just to survive.  

7.      You will always have a place to hang out before and after school.  

8.     You will learn music not played on MTV. Too many people are unaware of great art, good art or any art not in the ‘Top 40’. Band will widen the scope of your appreciation of the arts.  

9.      Band members are too busy to get in trouble. After marching practice and other band commitments plus studying for other classes, there’s barely time left for eating and sleeping. 

10.   You will make many friends and life-long memories.  

11.   Band teaches you how to obtain dedication as well as the discipline, responsibility, and the mental and physical thoroughness that are required for survival in the “real world”.  

12.   You will learn cooperation, pride in a job well done, a sense of purpose, and a “don’t ever quit trying” attitude that will last you a lifetime. In fact, this may be the most valuable education you receive and the type of skills that all employers look for in all employees!



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 A great letter from a teacher in Orange County, CA: 

“As I watched the inauguration yesterday, I was struck by something in addition to the historical significance of the event. When it comes to the highest degree of ceremony in our land, we turn to that which is often the first to be on the chopping block in tough financial times: the arts. There was singing, poetry, an ensemble of some of the most talented and accomplished instrumental solo artists in the world, discussion of the particular painting featured at the luncheon, grand marches played by a band. Because great societies are often measured by their progress in the arts, we seem to understand intrinsically that these things belong, yet we are often unwilling as a society to preserve them in our education system. For every artist who blessed the nation with their gift yesterday, there was someone who had initially recognized their talent, nurtured it, guided their technical preparation, and encouraged their musical development. Someone introduced Yo-Yo Ma to the cello, and put Aretha Franklin on a stage. These things do not just happen by accident.

 

The next time you hear the suggestion to cut the arts out of the schools because it’s “nice, but not necessary,” imagine yesterday without the arts… a walk to a podium, an oath, a speech, a walk to whatever comes next… no parades, no balls. Imagine the band members who played “Hail to the Chief,” told in middle school that music would not be offered in their school any more. Imagine if Itzhak Perlman never held a violin. Imagine the featured choir given over to the directorship of someone with no vocal training because the chorus position was cut. These things are happening every day, and someday we may be faced with a quickie courthouse ceremony rather than royal pomp and circumstance befitting a presidential inauguration. Think about it.”