No cuts to music in our schools

By Bill Fox/Columnist

Your son or daughter in high school will suffer because of the Ford government’s education cuts. In our Catholic school board this semester there are 32 fewer teachers and as a result 219 fewer classes for students to choose from. According to a headline in the Toronto Star, “No teachers will be laid off in cost-cutting, Ontario’s education minister says.”  So much for the truth.

Before Mike Harris became our premier in 1995, the Ministry of Education, as I understood it, was made up mostly of educators. When Harris took over the ministry became composed mostly of business people. In my mind that is akin to having the Ontario Medical Association made up mostly of pharmaceutical company reps.

In the Harris years the stress on education was on graduating students ready for the work force. That in itself isn’t bad, but it resulted in cuts to programs that did not have that focus. For example, physical education and music.

I remember the days when high school physical education was compulsory for your first three to four high school years. While it did not get you ready for the work force, there were definitely advantages to well rounded courses. We did take folk dancing, gymnastics and participated in all main sports activities. Yet again would this lead to work force occupations?

Among some of the 219 classes cut this semester have to be music classes. Again, even in the last 10 to 20 years, music class choices have been cut. I took vocal music in grades 9 and 10. I would love to know how many of our Durham High Schools offer more than one class of vocal music today.

Schools are losing not only an enjoyable subject, but also a subject which can enrich students’ lives and education. With some research I’m sure you could find well over 50 advantages to having our youth involved in music education.

Research suggests listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer’s disease because key brain areas linked to musical memory are relatively undamaged by the disease. It is well known that music therapy is beneficial to people with this disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic music can “Relieve stress, reduce anxiety and depression and reduce agitation.”

Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds. Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond.

Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study. Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.

Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement. 

Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.

An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.

Finally, music is an excellent way to relieve stress, which is significant for students who may feel overwhelmed by schoolwork. Studies have found that music can reduce burnout and improve mood states.

Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Makes me wonder if our premier or his education minister ever took music?

I’m at Bdfox@rogers.com humming “Imagine” by John Lennon.