Musical Justification

[BigBear]

Just got out of a meeting having to justify a stipend and why to keep music going in our public schools (basically, my job)... talk about heartbreaking.

There is always statistics thrown out about the need for music education, how it positively impacts/supports other academics and test scores, etc. I'm not going to do any of that.

All I want to ask this forum, is to take a few minutes today and think about life without music...Just think.

"Music is the shorthand of emotion"
"Music is said to be the speech of angels"
etc.

Just google some music quotes, some deep penetrating stuff... if you let it.

How much more alive would you be if you understood the language.

How much music is in your life? Do you realize?

[Zundfolge]

pfft ... kids these days don't even listen to music.


Seriously though, I'd rather see schools do away with athletics than music since music at least has academic merit. But this is the kind of crap you get with an education system run by government bureaucrats with money stolen from the people.

[CrufflerSteve]

Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.
Frank Zappa

Music is always a commentary on society.
Frank Zappa

Music is a major part of my life. For one thing it has saved me from talk radio. I've been to about 4 concerts in the last month and will be at the Toad Tavern Friday. My love of music has made me rather obsessive about hearing protection.

[sellersm]

Sorry to hear you have to justify something like this! Life without music is like life without God!

Hmmm, let's see: in the book of Revelations, when Babylon is destroyed, it specifically says (chapter 18, vs. 22):

The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade
will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone
will never be heard in you again.

So, life without music? Yeah, pretty much sums up some serious judgement!! The Bible is full of references to music, even some commands (Eph 5:19).

In other views, http://gen321.com/music/161-the-impo...c-in-our-lives an article by Kurt Stricker says:

Carlos Santana once said; "music can change your molecular structure". The "Mozart Effect" is a set of research results that indicate that listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music can, in a nutshell, make you smarter. It is, also, believed that early music training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning.
Music is one of the most beloved human experiences. Everyone enjoys some sort of music and that is evident in almost every important event from weddings and funerals to graduation ceremonies and presidential inaugurations. The ambiance can be set in any room by simply adding soft music in a restaurant or upbeat sounds at a worship service. Several famous athletes have been known to listen to music as part of their pre-game/match ritual. And let's not forget those unforgettable soundtracks to our favorite films. Yes, music is everywhere. And finally, music is used as inspiration, reminiscing, and celebrating. Colleges have their fight song, people remember an endearing moment from their past during the playing of an old tune, and we sing Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of 12:00 on January 1st while kissing total strangers and swilling the best champagne. Star Wars wouldn't be the same without hearing "Daa, Daa, dat dat dat Daaaa, Daa, dat dat dat Daaaa, Daa", who would remember Woodstock without the Jefferson Airplane song "White Rabbit", and aging another year just cries for that timeless wonder, "Happy Birthday". Take away The Righteous Brothers song "You've Lost That Lovin' feelin'" and Top Gun loses its memorable ending, without country music men can't cry in their beer, and what would a 1970's funeral be without the song "Free Bird" by Lynard Skynard? Without music life would be very boring and colorless. We do everything to the tune of _______ you fill in the blank. Each adventure requires an anthem, every moment needs a melody, and all of life's little pains deserve a psalm. Maybe Carlos was right. If music changes our molecular structure what would we be without it?

[TS12000]

I'd listen everyday all day if I could swing it. Classical also cured my road rage (really) and gave me a new to me genre to listen to that I absolutely love. Sorry to hear you're at ends with them, from what I've heard they need more people like you, both music teachers and good teachers in general, in those schools and not less.

[asmo]

My guitar wants to kill your momma.
-- frank zappa

[StagLefty]

Man if it wasn't for jazz radio in the background all day at my house I'd be crazier than I already am.

[Ronin13]

I agree with Zund, musical education has more merit than athletics... Perfect example: I have two friends from high school, one played football, the other was in the band. The one who played football never really played another day of his life after senior year. The one who was in the band has now been in 3 different bands, has opened for several somewhat big name acts here in Colorado, and is currently doing what he loves and making a bit of money at it. By this example, granted I can't really say what the incomes of these two different individuals are, but I can tell you this: the one doing music is much happier every time I see them, and finds more fulfillment with life. Music is life. I could live without a lot of things, but music is certainly not one of them.
Oh yeah, you asked for quotes...
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”
― Albert Einstein
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination
and life to everything.”
― Plato

[Shootersfab]

Man I tell you what, I donno if I wear ear plugs at the shop because of the hammering, or because we always have the music maxed out! Music gets you fired up, picks you up, fixes your heart, breaks your heart, calms you down, and makes you look forward to the next song....

I can't operate without music..

[sellersm]

Also, music is mathematics applied! +1000 to all that's been already stated, especially about needing more teachers like you and what Zund said!!

Bear, you know that I'm a musician as well. Life without music? Why bother living... Sounds like the school has an agenda already (as most do).

You know Who's in charge...