I recently have come to have much more 'free time' in my days because of an employment change....a long story over a cold beer, a wee dram or a lovely port. At any rate I reconnected with some acquaintances who are participating in the New Horizon's Band program in the community and I was amazed. The 'introductory' band was made up of about 30 some people of all shapes and sizes, ages and backgrounds, who were learning or re-learning a band instrument. Some were younger-mid fifties or so, and then there were the older folks-some well into the 'golden years'- 70's and 80's I am sure. They were all at different stages of their discovery with their chosen instruments, but they could all play. The strongest element for me to draw from was the fact that they were like giddy school kids so excited to be making music as an ensemble. Some of them were getting every note and others got most of the notes and then even fewer of them were getting the odd note and rhythm. But the key is that they were there, working hard and participating. At break, to hear them chatter about the first half of rehearsal was inspiring as they reviewed what had happened and how 'I got more of the notes this week than I did last week'. All of them were having so much fun, enjoying each others company and the chance to make music. I am quite sure that many of them know the benefits about keeping active and participating in something that will keep their minds alive and firing on all cylinders. It was obvious to me because the product was really worth celebrating.
I hope that our younger generation and the current leaders, political and educational, take note of the research and the studies that indicate the positive impact that music education, like no other creative art, has on the young, developing mind. I am a firm believer, that Music Education, should be available for every child. If it starts in school, think what a benefit it would be to society down the road. It is never too late to start, so why not start at the beginning? What do you think?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
I invite you to come by......This section is composed of observations or impressions I have, or others I value, share about music and its power. Archives
August 2019
Categories |