In Verizon Wireless' new commercial, a boy hesitates playing his tuba in front of an auditorium full of people. His parents use their Verizon phones to project images of the rest of his family that couldn’t attend the concert. He finally works up the courage to play. What is apparent in this commercial is that the boy was anxious, showed fear for performing in front of crowds and then finally triumphed when he shook off his stage fright. It is clear that music performance programs give children an early sense of purpose and responsibility that they would not normally develop until later in life. Early music education is unique because it challenges children to strive for success at a young age.
“Pursuing
music performance [as a field of study] gives you a strong sense of enrichment,” says Nicole Regan, District Music Coordinator for Monroe Woodbury School. The Monroe Woodbury School District has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in 2012 by the National Association of Music Merchants. “Music allows all of us to take cause, and it allows students to find self confidence and purpose.”
Playing music together bonds the whole family!
Nicole will be attending the Performing Arts College Fair at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center. She is excited to scout for prospective colleges for her students. “The kids are excited to go to a college fair that’s only for the performing arts,” says Nicole. Why are they excited to go to an all performing arts college fair? It might be validation, as many students have already studied for a long time to excel in the music field. For most students, music education begins before grade school. The more you study it, the more challenging it becomes. The “band geeks” are risk takers, having given themselves to a field that becomes increasingly difficult the more they participate.
These performers that develop an early sense of responsibility to perform music well, benefit in many aspects of life as they get older. Nicole says, “Even if you don’t perform in music after high school, you have learned to work hard and find clever ways to solve problems. You are more properly prepared for life.” Not only does music education promote strong academics, it gives them strong encouragement socially as well. “You are constantly surrounding yourself with people who work hard. These students want to become very successful in life.”
While students in other fields of study find success in what they do, Nicole says that music education is unique. “Music uses both sides of the brain.” Performing is very technical and challenging, but the music is still a creative outlet for the performer.
The students of Monroe Woodbury School are excited to go to the Performing Arts College Fair because it is the next step for their professional career. Education has become ingrained into their lifestyle and they know the more they learn, the more prepared they will be for everything life throws their way.
The Hudson Valley Performing Arts Foundation is hosting a Performing Arts College Fair on October 14th, 2012 at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center in Sugar Loaf, NY. Twenty of the top performing arts colleges and conservatories from across the country will be in attendance at the Free Event.
Afraid your child wants to quit music too soon?