Personal Narrative: A Lesson Taught By Music

For years, music classes have been the ugly ducklings of school curriculums, the last courses to be added, the first courses to be cut. They have always taken second place to traditional academic classes. Music, however, has proved itself to be extremely beneficial time and time again, from the undeniable improvement in grades regarding traditional academic classes to the glowing remarks from music students everywhere. In an ever-changing world, the addition of music education in schools needs to be next on the academic agenda. Music education should be a required component in all schools due to the proven academic, social, and personal benefits that it provides.

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

To be completely honest, I hated piano lessons for about four years. My mom enrolled me in a small piano school on the north side of town when I was about four years old. Every day I strengthened my fingers by squeezing a pink rubber ball, and my fingers were kept curved by the small pink pom-pom rabbit resting underneath them. I loved that furry little rabbit with all of my childish heart; I think that’s what kept me engaged during my elementary years.

Across the United States many elementary school music classrooms are filled with simple and popular tunes such as Hot Cross Buns and The Ode to Joy, played on the recorder, while high school students may be playing collegiate or professional pieces of music such as Armenian Dances and Carmen Suites. I have been very fortunate to have gone on the journey of progressing through different music education programs within Fairfax County Public Schools. If I was never exposed to music while in elementary school I might not have ever found one of my greatest passions or been able to create such fond and unforgettable memories. While music education programs across the country appear large and strong, many schools are beginning to experience budget reductions. As a result, music is often the very first component of a school 's curriculum or programs to be cut or significantly reduced, but I believe this is not the right course of action. It is important to preserve and promote music education in public schools because of the proven cognitive, character,and academic benefits for students.

Throughout my several arduous years of middle school, I never thought music would grow to mean as much as it does to me today. I was no concertmaster, no section leader, never the best at the instruments I played, and never imagined I could attain these titles. After a slump and a loss of passion, something sparked inside of me and I made it my goal to become the best at what I could do.

Scientists have established the existence of strong links between music and personal development. They claim that playing an instrument can increase the student’s sense of achievement, self-esteem, confidence; persistence, punctuality and discipline (Gardiner et al. 1996)

The power of education resides within its ability to fruitfully illuminate and transform the mind of a student. Unfortunately, when this education lacks depth and substance it can limit the student in a manner that creates toxicity towards growing. One of the subjects that helps create a robust scholar but always finds itself in danger is music education. As a musician, most of my work has been in practicing and performing, but the more important aspect of my passion that is often overlooked is giving back through educating the younger generation.

As Junior in Weslaco East High school, I come from a family obsessed with sports and competition. Sports isn't my cup of tea. When the time came to play sports I was very perfunctory. My family wanted me to play basketball just because the whole family did; basketball does not interest me.

Growing up with two older sisters who were involved in various activities meant that I spent a lot of time in the backseat of my mother’s minivan (as we brought them around to their sports games and music lessons and more). When I was old enough to get involved, I leapt at the opportunity and chose soccer, cross country, mixed martial arts, cello and piano. Although I loved doing all of these things, something about my music lessons always stood out to me. When I was playing music, I felt truly in my element, so when I thought about the next chapter in my life, I realized that I couldn’t imagine music not being a part of that story.

Music vocal or instrumental sound combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. As a small child, I never understood why people had a fascination with music. I always thought, “What’s so good about it? I can make noises too.” At the time music never interested me. However, a few years later music quickly becomes a big part of me life.

The past four years in and outside of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois have been highlighted with a multitude of flavorous events that created internal and external accomplishments within a life I am pleased to call my own. Each activity brought about a new chapter in my own self discovery and alluded to a mindset that aged me from childhood to adulthood. From first setting my blank canvas of a body in the uncharted ground of high school, I knew as a young pupil I was blossoming with potential to create something better for myself. I quickly took advantage of the fine arts courses such as guitar and chorus, believing the only possible outcome could be learning instruments for my own self gain. My blind remark was disproved quickly as being involved in the arts aided in meeting new people, creating a fearlessness in my own self expression, and realizing the importance of the music community to yours truly. Using music and it’s community as a platform, I developed the skills that are necessary to be an adult.

As I picked up this foreign object and gently placed its mouthpiece to my lips, I began to play. Upon playing a coarse note, the sound of the trumpet reverberated throughout the room while fruition enveloped me, igniting a newfound passion. I was captivated by this skill, as it had become a unique means of expressing myself.

When you find yourself up late at night, in the early morning making music, it can become hard to tell when what you were doing was intentional, or aftermath of a sleepless brain, taking your creative process into its own hands. However, it’s always fun waking up that next morning, and listening to what mysteries had been created the night before. More often than not I find myself saying, “what was I thinking?” But, how rewarding it is when sleepy 3 AM me accidently decided to try a different instrument to use that works perfectly with the rest of the song. When sleepy 3 AM me unknowingly created a new effect that let's my drums blend tightly together with the rhythm of the piano. When sleepy 3 AM me thought that pitching the vocal track slightly up would create a warmer presence.

Ok this is something that is actually important this time….well at least I think it is. Here we go, so today is the dance, if you don’t already know. Terran came over around 7ish to pick me up. Our parents took pictures of us, and my dad even posted it on facebook….the problem is though is that my ex is following my dad. My friend saw it though; she saw me and screamed goals. Anyhow, we got to the dance 30 minutes too early. Apparently the message didn’t sent across the website right, and it was actually supposed to be from 8-11 not 7:30-11. Terran called his mom to tell her that the dance doesn’t start for another half hour. She came and picked us up to go to the gas station, because SOMEONE had forgotten their mints *cough* Terran *cough*.

Classical instrumental music education has developed into a luxury that mostly only the middle classes and higher classes can afford. While classroom music education at schools provides an overview of musical knowledge and performance, it does not always allow the opportunity for an in-depth specialisation in instrumental practice. Music education is important for children’s development and should be accessible to all. Multiple studies on the impact of music on the brain have been conducted and the field of study is still in its early stages of research, but experts agree that music education, and especially the practise of a musical instrument, is important for all children. Unfortunately the cost of music lessons and other barriers restrict its access to underprivileged children in particular.