The sound of beautiful music can be heard coming from the Morgan
Hill Unified School District. But will there be music much
longer?
The sound of beautiful music can be heard coming from the Morgan Hill Unified School District. But will there be music much longer?
As most already know, the MHUSD is facing budget problems. The board is facing decisions now concerning cuts that will have to be made. But they must also consider the affect the cuts will make.
Many teachers, parents and students themselves spoke at recent board meetings to tell their testimony of how the music program has affected their lives. The music program, just like sports and drama, teaches student’s important skills they can use throughout their lives.
It’s well known that music helps students with their math and science skills. Why would anyone want to take a chance to succeed away from them? And besides, the district is always trying to bring up test scores. The music program helps the scores.
Although in my opinion, test scores don’t say much anyway. All test scores say is that this is how well this student tests. A straight “A” student could get the same score on the test that a “C” student because the “A” student doesn’t test well. Board member Del Foster is an example of this. He graduated successfully from law school but still scored low. It doesn’t mean that he isn’t smart. All it means is that he isn’t a great test taker, just like many students within the district.
So, how can the district work to meet score growth targets and still provide such programs? Maybe the board should not focus so much on how well students’ score but rather on the well-being and happiness of teachers and students.
And who knows happiness better than the Live Oak Emerald Regime. As you walk into the band room, you see the hundreds of trophies, ribbons and banners. It is obvious that the students in the band are dedicated to excellence. The Emerald Regime won first at Championships this year. When they came back from championships, they wore the medals they won to school for everyone to see.
Besides winning award after award in the state, the Live Oak music program plays for the Drama Spring musical. Without the Live Oak symphony, the musical would pathetic. You can’t have a musical without music. It is obvious that we need the music program at Live Oak and at all other schools.
Music brings a sense of accomplishment to students. I know from my own experience that when a child has mastered a difficult song, there is no other feeling like it. To a kid who has trouble with school, music brings them hope that they can succeed in school and in life. Maybe they have trouble writing essays, but they can play Mozart or Bach. How many students can say that? Not many.
Again, go back to the question, why would anyone want to take this away from children? Children at younger ages should be exposed to as much music as possible. It all goes back to the idea that music improves math and science skills. The younger you start music, the sooner you start learning how to communicate and learn more effectively at many different levels.
Many students exposed to music follow a musical path further down the line in their careers. They teach music, or play music for a living. What is stopping them from even becoming the next Bach or Mozart? If there is no music program, how will they ever find out their musical talent?
At the recent board meetings, there have been many parents and students passionate about the music program their children are involved with. So passionate that they shed tears in front of the board.
Yes, there has to be something that will be cut back to mend the budget. There are other things such as some of the classes offered at the adult school that could be cut. The same classes are offered other places in the area.
I don’t believe that the music program is something that should be put aside. If the board really wants to do what is best for students, they will not consider touching the music programs in Morgan Hill. I trust the board to make wise decisions to solve the budget situation. I trust that the board thinks of their students first before making drastic changes.
