Proposal for a High School String Nonet Honors Program (part 2, conclusion)

Please read part 1 of this post before reading on…

The feedback I received from my original post has been pretty awesome.  Thank you to all of the string teachers and string parents out there who read the post and commented on this website, social media, or via direct message.

It was quite interesting to read the comments! At first, teachers stated their understanding of the concept but were skeptical of some of the details, particularly the time/financial commitments and the exclusivity. 

“The idea goes against all the work I have done at [my school] in recent years to create a flatter hierarchy with leadership and opportunity for all. 12 years ago, I would have been really intrigued. Now, not so much!”

-Facebook comment

“This kind of system doesn’t foster every student becoming the best possible person they can be. This kind of system seems destined to create exhausted, aggressively competitive students who are in it for the wins, not the experiences and learning. Which, in my opinion at least, doesn’t necessarily equal high performance. You might get the top perfomers, but are they really growing and learning at that point? This seems more like it’s aimed at earning bragging rights for the director and/or school and possibly participants.”

-Facebook comment

I think some of my colleagues were trying to be nice, but thinking in the back of their minds, “Has Laux lost his mind??!” After a while, people read through the satire and figured out what I was trying to do. Some even added additional sarcastic caveats:

“Exactly. And I would like to add this to the article. There is a $12 ticket fee to attend every concert for all parents, siblings and grandparents. And every family needs to bring one Costco size package of granola bars to sell at the concession stand and sign up for a minimum of 4 volunteer slots.”

-Facebook comment

Essentially I copied a typical high school baseball practice/game schedule, along with the financial obligations, and inserted that into a scenario of forming a select honor orchestra. The comparisons I made were not realistic, but I wanted to point out the comparison of what music groups are up against in some ways.  

The details I included are typical for high school baseball programs in my area. I find it very difficult and almost unethical to ask students to fundraise for a group that they are not even a part of or may have no chance of being included in. I have a hard time watching kids, who have practiced and prepared for performance, sit out while others participate. As a baseball coach for the last 9 years, my least favorite thing to do is having to create a lineup that requires having to sit 3 kids on the bench every inning. Most of the time, recreational baseball teams carry a roster of 12 players and there are only 9 fielding positions. I feel a little better when I have players unable to make the game due to conflicts, etc. because fewer kids have to sit out. With high school baseball teams, there are usually rosters of 24 players, so 15 kids are sitting out at a time. I can’t even explain how much this upsets me!

“At the end of the day I think our profession is focused on inclusion, and a shared experience that is hard to quantify. We don’t focus on winners or losers, we don’t cut kids out of our programs if they aren’t “good enough.” At the end of the day while our priorities as a society depress me, I feel good about what I can offer my students. I would not be a good coach. It goes against my grain.”

-Facebook comment

Let me be clear that this article was not meant to come across as “unprofessional” or to upset anyone, but perhaps simply raise awareness of some of the differences between the great debate between music and sports. While sports may be more commonplace with a majority of the population of our society, it’s clear that music offers a wealth of benefits that can rival sports.

Music programs in my area (metro Atlanta, Georgia) are very well supported, I know this is not the case everywhere. Music has so many advantages compared to other activities, and it’s important that we, as music educators, continue to advocate for music and school music programs.

• One of the most significant advantages of participating in music is its profound impact on cognitive development. Research has consistently shown that learning and playing a musical instrument or participating in a musical ensemble enhances critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and memory. Musicians must frequently read complex symbols found in sheet music and translate them into organized sounds. Musicians learn to understand music theory, putting those concepts to work when performing or improvising. In contrast, sports, although physically demanding and requiring thought, may not provide the same deep level of intellectual stimulation.
• Music also provides a unique platform for emotional expression and creativity. Through lyrics, melody, harmony, tone, timbre, and rhythm, musicians can convey a wide range of emotions through sound. Regardless of the medium, style, or genre, music allows individuals to express themselves and connect with others on a deep emotional level. 
• While sports often have a competitive and physically demanding nature, music is a lifelong journey. You can continue to enjoy and improve your musical skills throughout your life, regardless of age. There’s no age limit to becoming a confident musician! This longevity and the ability to enjoy music at any stage of life make it a more sustainable and enduring pursuit compared to sports, which may become increasingly challenging as one gets older. Some of my favorite words to hear from my student alumni are “I’m still playing!”
• Music has a profound ability to connect individuals with different cultures and traditions. By learning to play music from various parts of the world, individuals can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures. This not only fosters cultural awareness but also encourages open-mindedness and a global perspective.
• Sports can be physically demanding and carry the risk of injuries, which can sometimes be severe. In contrast, music activities, while physically demanding in their own right, carry a significantly lower risk of injuries. This makes music a safer choice for those who want to engage in a challenging yet less physically taxing pursuit. When one of my students comes into my classroom with a cast or sling, I jokingly remind them that they would never have hurt themselves if they were just practicing their instrument instead. (Dad jokes are my specialty!)
• One of the most important factors for loving music is that music is highly inclusive, welcoming individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, and ages. It doesn’t discriminate based on physical prowess or athleticism. Anyone can participate in music, whether it’s singing in a choir, playing the piano, or joining a band or orchestra. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie, promoting diversity and acceptance. As I always say in my classroom, “Nobody sits on the bench in the orchestra!”

Unfortunately, more people don’t cherish participation in music and see the incredible value it offers the mind and soul. In my years teaching I’ve met a lot of people. Some people really “get it” (the music experience), and some don’t understand. Most of the time those people who participated in music in their youth will understand, to some extent, the value and the feeling one can encounter when they have that “goosebumps” aesthetic moment that is created through music. It is unparalleled. Music can often be looked at as something that you have “talent” for or not. The mentality is, “If you don’t have “talent,” you shouldn’t participate in music.” I feel many more people attempt to play sports and “talent” isn’t a prerequisite. We need to remember that music is for everyone and that “talent” can be developed! (Thank you, Mr. Suzuki!)

After reading this blog post, you may think that I am not athletic or that I have something against sports. Not in the slightest! I absolutely love participating in sports, especially baseball, running, and water sports like wakeboarding. Most recently I’ve grown very fond of yoga and practice regularly. (I suppose yoga is not a sport, but it’s a physical activity and has been great for my body and mind.) I have had the best time coaching my kids in baseball over the last nine years, and the only thing I really watch on TV is sporting events. I don’t watch shows or follow any series. I simply find it intriguing how society easily spends exorbitant amounts of time and money on sports but when it comes to an arts schedule of the same magnitude, it’s generally out of the question for a large part of our society.

I love being able to make music, teach music, and provide my students with memorable experiences and the knowledge and understanding of skills that will last them a lifetime.

A few questions to ponder…

• How can we continue to advocate for music and our music programs? 
• How can we increase the widespread visibility, popularity, and ultimately, value of music?
• Is music education in need of a major paradigm shift to remain relevant and highly valued in society?

What do you think?

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