Final Trend Piece

Music is Important

Music programs face severe budget cuts nationwide

From K-12 to colleges, music programs are being undermined despite positive impacts to

communities

By Alexis Kautchick

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/well/family/using-arts-education-to-help-other-lessons-

stick.html

https://marchingband.charlotte.edu/about-us/bands-unc-charlotte-0

Tags: #Music #CharlotteMusicians #UNCCMusicDeparment #MusicEducation

#MusicImportance

S
tudents stretch across the Jerry Richardson Stadium before their final marching band

practice begins. Some playing frisbee and some conversing with their peers but all

enjoying their time together. Mr.Dan Fisher, the Pride of Niner Nation marching band

director at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, calls for their attention and the students

huddle together and eagerly listen. He thanks them for their hard work and successful marching

season, then requests to begin practice. The students get straight to work and create music that

fills the entire stadium.

 But for some students, these opportunities to learn about music are not readily available to them.

Schools across the nation cut the budgets to music programs as a “solution” to their constraining

government funding but is this the right choice?

The arts have been a vital part of culture

since the beginning of civilization. An

understanding of cultures can be

communicated through the values, emotions

and opinions that are expressed through art.

It preserves what facts cannot.

Football Game (UNCC PNNB, 2017)

Communities create a sense of unity through music. Just think of a concert, tons of people come

together to enjoy the music that is created from their favorite artists and yes, they are called

artists for a reason. Music is art, a creative outlet and a universal language, the phenomenal

impact it can have on people as a collective is something worth saving.

For many, music is introduced at a young age. Maybe it was in elementary school, when the

colorful boomwhackers would get passed around in class and fill the room with chaotic tunes.

Perhaps it was in middle school, where kids learned how to read music and decided if they

wanted to pick up an instrument. It could have been in one's early adulthood, when music was an

escape from life’s problems, a way to enjoy a long car ride or the time to clean the house while

dancing away.

Whenever it occurred, it is important that it happened.

“Music is a way of
 creative

Which is why allowing students access to music education is crucial in our livelihood.

But music programs still seem to be the first on the cutting block for K-12 and up curricula.

Emmanuel Ross, the band director at Porter Ridge high school, explained how the arts is

something we all do and how most spend their free time, whether it is to watch Netflix, listen to

music, etc. So, it is important for students to study arts as well as academics in school. (E.Ross,

personal communication, Oct.23, 2021)

Plus, research has suggested that learning music aids learning in other subjects as well (Brown,

2012, para.2).

Gavin Franklin is a current student attending Western Carolina University and is an active

member of their marching band. He expressed how being involved in music helped him through

his college classes in the following quote.

“Band has increased my academic potential. Music is a way of creative expression…this is what

helped me get through my first few semesters in college and I don’t know what I’d do without

it.” (G.Franklin, personal communication, Dec.14, 2021)

Music can help students with their mental health as well. “Music listeners had higher scores for

mental well-being and slightly reduced levels of anxiety and depression compared to people
 overall.” (Budson, 2020, para.2) Considering how college students tend to struggle with their

mental health, it is important to know that music can aid them.

Rachel Palmroos, a student at UNCC participated in band at Porter Ridge high school and

touched on this subject as well. “The arts help in mental health aspects and provide growth in

passion for young students.” (R.Palmroos, personal communication, Dec.14, 2021)

Additionally, music brings people and communities together, whether they know it or not.

William Wiand, a UNCC Pride of Niner Nation member, explained how the marching band

affects not only the students in the band but the rest of the student body at UNCC as well.

“The marching band is like a cheerleading

team, and our energy encourages members of

the crowd to cheer for the team.” (W.Wiand,

personal communication, Dec.3, 2021)

UNCC PNNB (JetPackPhotos, 2020)

The band facilitates team spirit during football games and brings students at UNCC a sense of

pride in their school. So, even for those who do not directly participate in music programs, it can

still positively affect their college experience and sense of community.

Even if one does not choose to pursue music as a

“In band, career, being involved can benefit their future success.

working together Palmroos mentioned “Marching band offers structure to

is important”
students and leadership abilities to take with them past college.” (R.Palmroos, personal

communication, Dec.14, 2021)

Being directly involved in music programs is a discipline for students, Wiand expands on this in

the following: “Band has made me be more aware of my time and more efficient at time

management...Marching band teaches a solid work ethic and acute attention to detail.”

(W.Wiand, personal communication, Dec.3, 2021)

Franklin even mentioned how his musicianship has taught him skills he uses in his daily life and

at his current job. (G.Franklin, personal communication, Dec.14, 2021)

So, whether it be a hobby, career or a way to pass time, music can teach one skills that will last a

lifetime as well as friendships.

Wiand mentioned how many college freshmen move far from their families and friends but the

band gave him and others a way to create bonds with each other and not feel so alone anymore.

(Wiand, personal communication, Dec.3, 2021)

On Nov.17, 2021, I witnessed a positive environment with friendships flourishing on the field.

Mr.Dan Fisher mentored these students inspirationally. At one point he instructed all the students

to close their eyes, take a deep breath in and out to let all their stress fade away. I joined in

despite sitting in the stands yards away, but it was a sincere moment. The students gathered
around at the end of their practice; they were like family. That sense of community is why music

is essential.

Works Cited

Andrew E. Budson, MD. “Why Is Music Good for the Brain?” Harvard Health, 7 Oct.

2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-is-music-good-for-the-brain-

2020100721062.
“Img_9985_38101749204_o.” Flickr, Yahoo!, 16 Dec. 2021,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pnnmb/46651554915/in/album-72157708058197324/

lightbox/.

“The Benefits of Music Education.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, https://PNNMB,

UNC Charlotte. “UNC Charlotte vs. UTEP.” Flickr, Yahoo!, 30 Oct. 2020,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pnnmb/50547339997/in/album-72157716675120943/.

www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-benefits-of-music-education.