WT White Longhorn Band Music Advocacy
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All information below is credited to and can be found on the TMEA website:
Music is a
Key area in the Lives of
Texas Public School Students
Historically, the music organizations in Texas schools are among the finest in the world. Bands, choirs, and orchestras continually receive national recognition and impress audiences the world over. Students enjoy making music and being a part of the music scene in our Texas schools.
Music is a vital part of any culture, Music appreciation is gained through studying, composing, listening and performing, and adds richness to our lives.
The study of music is an important part of a complete education. It engages students in individual and group activity, develops creativity, problem solving, and critical and evaluative skills. Music education helps students acquire talent in the production and performance of music, as well as an understanding of history and culture.
The Texas Music Educators Association is concerned with maintaining and improving school music for all students and encourages all Texans to support quality music education. All students should have access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, high-quality, sequential program of music taught by teachers who are certified in music education.
Texans recognize and commend the Texas Music Educators Association for its concern for and efforts to enhance the quality of music education in Texas Schools.
- George W. Bush, Governor of Texas
Current research indicates that the fine arts, especially music, influences the brain and actually stimulates spatial intelligence. Students who participate in an arts program experience important learning transfers, in academic areas.
-Dr. Mike Moses, Former Texas Commissioner of Education
PREPARATION FOR LIFE
We all want our children to experience a healthy, happy and prosperous life and to enjoy themselves in the process. There are certain mental tools which aid in this goal, and music is crucial in honing these tools:
Creativity. Music opens horizons of the mind and supports wonderment, imagination, appreciation, and sensitivity. Creativity is the source of possibility and is a mental muscle that must be trained and exercised often.
Communication. Music is a language beyond words. Music can only be explained with music because of its various styles, textures, tempos, and dynamics. Music truly stirs the soul of people. No words or visual display can come close to the emotional impact of music.
Critical Assessment. Music is one of the key areas where an individual can develop a consistency between intellectual and emotional understanding. Here is the chance to bridge the cognitive and affective data of life, which many feel is the recipe of genius. We can create formulas instead of just solutions, and we can be pro-active rather than re-active. We can open the mind and avoid tunnel vision - and in doing so, come up with discerning opinions which develop quality character.
Commitment. It is almost impossible to be
"partially committed" to music. One may quit on a test, refuse to turn in an
assignment, or just not be aware of what is going on in a lecture class, but the
participation level in music requires a focus of attention unlike most subjects
in school. Music causes one to learn persistence and the value of "not giving
up," even when there is the temptation to throw in the towel. Many have pointed
to "stay power" as one of the greatest personal attributes in our society.
Welcome to one of the key benefits of the study of music.
Excerpts from "The Value of Music"
by Tim Lautzenheiser
Attitude Concepts for Today
Participation In Music
According to a recent statewide survey, student involvement in extracurricular or cocurricular activities makes students resilient to current substance use among their peers. Secondary students who participated in band, orchestra or choir reported the lowest lifetime use of all substances.
- 1994 Texas School Survey of Substance Abuse Among Students: Grades 7-12
All-State music students consistently score over 200 points higher on the SAT than non-music students, indicating that high performing students have a strong interest in pursuing serious music interests while excelling in other academic areas. (see All-State SAT Data)
- TMEA Survey, 1988-98
A recent study states that music majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical school, a whopping 66.7%. Biochemistry, the subject area closest to medicine, has a rate of 59.2 %,
- Rockefeller Foundation
Music students always outperform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. Because of their study of music, their skills are better in reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall and concentration.
- B. Friedman, "An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes."
Arts Education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate; the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.
- Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Corporate Communications, Xerox. Corporation
Participation in the fine arts engenders discipline, a sense of community, trust, and teamwork. All of these qualities are essential to a student's potential success in the workplace.
- Dr. Mike Moses, Former Texas Commissioner of Education
The things I learned form my experience in music in school are discipline, perseverance, dependability, composure, courage and pride in results...Not a bad preparation for the work force!
Gregory Anrig
President
Educational Testing Service
I believe arts education in music, theater, dance and the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface. They (children) have an enthusiasm for life, a spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations that need training...training that prepares them to become confident young men and women. As I visit schools around the country I see a renewed interest in arts education and a growing concern about the negative impact of cutting art and music out of the curriculum. The creativity of the arts and the joy of music should be central to the education of every American child.
Richard W. Riley
U.S. Secretary of Education
Texas All-State Music Student Average SAT Scores
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | |||||||||
| Mixed Choir | 1091 | 1073 | 1153 | 1156 | 1172 | 1163 | 1177 | 1191 | 1163 | ||||||||
| Treble Choir | 1121 | 1145 | 1172 | 1139 | |||||||||||||
| 5A Concert Band | 1045 | 1105 | 1235 | 1119 | 1182 | 1162 | 1227 | 1176 | 1122 | ||||||||
| Jazz Ensemble | 1023 | 1100 | 1221 | 1169 | 1165 | 1221 | 1160 | 1189 | 1164 | ||||||||
| Philharmonic Orch. | 1152 | 1197 | 1232 | 1278 | 1255 | 1225 | 1233 | 1275 | 1291 | ||||||||
| String Orch. | 1341 | 1301 | 1315 | 1307 | |||||||||||||
| 5A Symphonic Band | 1046 | 1112 | 1180 | 1239 | 1217 | 1193 | 1191 | 1135 | 1207 | ||||||||
| 4A Symphonic Band | 1165 | 1233 | 1169 | 1147 | |||||||||||||
| Symphony Orch. | 1191 | 1207 | 1244 | 1301 | 1313 | 1271 | 1286 | 1293 | 1294 | ||||||||
| Tenor / Bass Choir | 1198 | ||||||||||||||||
| ATSSB Sym. Band | 1188 | NA | 1177 | ||||||||||||||
| ATSSB Concert Band | 1222 | NA | 1136 | ||||||||||||||
| All-State Composite Score | 1098 | 1132 | 1211 | 1210 | 1216 | 1207 | 1215 | 1213 | 1193 | ||||||||
| National Average | 902 | 910 | 1013 | 1016 | 1017 | 1016 | 1019 | *1019 | *1019 | ||||||||
| State Average | 886 | 893 | 995 | 996 | 995 | 993 | 993 | *993 | *993 | ||||||||
*2000 averages
2001 & 2002 averages not available to date
Current brain research indicates that many people naturally think musically - especially as young children. As parents and educators it is imperative that we value creative thinking in children and ensure that their capacities for learning music are as fully developed as possible. In order to achieve this goal, music classes taught by specialists should be part of every student's school day,
Craig Welle
Texas ASCD
Fine Arts
Network Chair
TMEA Links to Music Advocacy/Support
Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts
Band Calendar.Band Handbook.Marching Band
Concert Band.Boosters.APTheory.Did you know?
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