Last Thursday, we attended our son Yogi’s spring concert, his band’s second performance since coming together at the beginning of the school year. He’s a 6th grader and plays the trumpet in the Intermediate School Band. It was truly an astounding recital by young, aspiring musicians. Though their Christmas concert was great, at the time they’d just been playing together for three months and most had never held an instrument in their hands prior to the start of the school year.
On this night, they showed just how much they had learned over the five months following their first concert. The final two pieces they played spoke to my husband’s heart. Though the composers are American, they have definite Irish roots with names like O’Loufglin and O’Reilly, and my husband being of Irish descent was delighted. The works performed were The Enchanted Village and The Lost Kingdom, and I was fascinated by the husband’s knowledgeable critique of the pieces. He said the first was filled with a taste of Irish mysticism and the second purely a Celtic air of dark adventure in a haunting minor key. That truly goes to show that he has the blood of the green isles flowing through his veins.
It tickled me to sit there and watch Yogi’s fingers flying as he fingered his notes on the trumpet. That brought back many memories for my husband because he was in the band. He didn’t join until the end of his 10th grade year, being inspired by hearing his high school band’s spring concert. He had a bit of a head start, though, because he had already taught himself to play the guitar and read music. And he caught on fast learning to play not only the baritone horn but the trumpet as well.
My husband back in what he calls his glory days of band music.
Being in the band certainly kept him busy. He played in the concert band, the marching band and the pep band, as well as playing his guitar in the stage band. Plus he sang in the chorus, making his last two years in high school relatively a breeze. His first classes of the day were the obligatory English and Math, followed by Journalism. He was actually the editor of the school newspaper! But with those classes out of the way, then came study hall which band members got to spend in the band room. And seeing that no teacher was present, they spent the time jamming with their instruments, mostly playing forbidden jazz, or the wannabe rockers would grab their rock band instruments and play rock and roll. Or they would spend the hour with a deck of cards playing gin rummy, canasta, poker or cribbage. Some study hall, huh? That period was followed by lunch, then chorus and two periods of band to end the day. According to my husband’s cliche phrase, those were the days. Looking back on my school years, I can’t imagine having such freedom in school because in the Philippines I had a strict, no-nonsense curriculum to adhere to. I’ve certainly enjoyed listening to my husband tell the tales of his school years.
Just as soccer has had such an impact on Yogi’s life, I have great hopes that music will give him the same gifts. And it’s a proven, statistical fact that being involved with music gives students a better edge in life and with their education seeing that most band students score 40 to 60 points higher in verbal and math on their SAT’s.
Other benefits are:
1) As for math, it is the language of science. The same can be said about music. Musical notes come in the categories of whole notes, half notes, fourth notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes and even thirty second notes. Then there’s the time signature at the beginning of a piece on the sheet music that tells the number of beats to play per bar. Basically, a lesson in fractions.
2) Memory is improved by repetition. Though sheet music is used in playing, if something is played over and over, students memorize it which can help in education and other areas in life.
3) Hand-eye ordination is enhanced and motor skills improved, just as in sports.
4) And also just as in sports, teamwork is involved when playing in an orchestral setting, each member being responsible for his particular part.
5) Self confidence and pride in accomplishment goes hand-in-hand with the mastering of a musical instrument.
Those facts are just the tip of the iceberg as to what music offers young aspirants. My husband has seen living proof of the benefits of music in the life of a student. Though he, unfortunately, didn’t make use of all the advantages music offered him, his daughter started playing the flute in the 5th grade and that took her all the way to a university graduation earning a BA degree in Music Education. So Yogi is carrying on the legacy of music in our family.
Secondly, regarding the sports aspects mentioned, several of Yogi’s soccer teammates are also in the band with him, creating an even deeper camaraderie not only on the field but on the stage as well. Needless to say, I’m so excited about the path Yogi has chosen. I’m sure his life’s journey will be fruitful and melodic.
Music is SO important to teach our children. It makes me sad that so many schools are cutting the music program. Thankfully our school hasn’t 🙂
I used to play the violin and piano when I was younger. Never did get into a band with school though – always wanted to play the trumpet or flute!
I used to be in the band in junior high. I played clarinet. Your son’s concert sounds awesome! My seventeen year old son plays guitar. I love listening to kids play instruments they love! I was in journalism too! Go writers!
I think one of the worst things schools can do to save money is cut music programs. Like you mentioned, music helps kids excel in many other educational aspects.
Music is beautiful, I wish I learned an instrument. It’s one of my biggest regrets, it be so nice.
I love music, all kinds! I am also a believer, that it helps in so many aspects of learning!
I always wished that I had learned to play an instrument! Sometimes it is just the joy of being able to entertain yourself with music that you make yourself that sounds so much fun!
Watching kids play music is very magical. My daughter plays the drums and my hubby has 4 guitars. They are definitely musical!
I can definitely see the advantages practicing music can have for kids. Band was a pretty big deal in my family.
I miss going to plays and concerts at my families school. Enjoy it now because it ends to soon
We just attended my grandson’s piano recital and I was so proud of him. Congrats to your son for learning to play an instrument. I think it’s important for kids to learn to play musical instruments.
I agree 100% with this post! My son started band this year and it has been an amazing experience. His director is amazing. He’s made great friends and the child can play the piano even though he is learning the trumpet! I feel like music has changed his life.
I really enjoyed taking music when I was in High School and hope my children will have the same program when they attend school. It really made me feel accomplished when I mastered a new song. It really does have so much benefits!
Music in schools is so important. It helps break up their time plus they can learn so much from playing.
Music is such a great learning tool for kids. I wish it were mandatory for kids to play instruments in school. I bet our math and science scores in the U.S. would skyrocket!! Thanks for sharing this great post.
It’s so important for children to have music incorporated into their learning. It’s sad that so many schools don’t really focus on music in their curriculum anymore.
There are so many benefits to music when you’re young – and I was in the band too! I played the bell lyre in the marching band here in England!
How awesome and Fun. Before Christmas our kids played in their school Musical concert. I bawled my eyes out watching. Music is so important and it’s so lovely watching them up there!
My son is getting into music on a serious level. I’m so proud of him. I wonder if he’ll join band one day.
Music is so important to have in life. Kids learn to be creative, expressive, and learn about commitment and practice, ect. It saddens me that they are putting less and less money into the funds that support these programs!
I think music is an important part of the school curriculum. I have a child who played violin for years.
All my kids play an instrument and so do my husband and I. My oldest just had her spring band concert on Tuesday night. I love watching the band play!
Music is such a beautiful thing. I love going to my children’s concerts. You both must be so proud of your son. =)
Right timing, my daughter came home today and told me that she signed up for the school band. She wants to play flute.
Music is definitely an important part of life, even for those of us who can’t play! Congrats on sharing the gift of music with your son 🙂 I’m sure he has a lot of fun playing with the band and jamming with you at home!
Music is so very important for kiddos!!! When I was in school I played the trumpet and some of my favorite school memories are from those band experiences
Music is such a great outlet for children! I know that I was involved with music as a kid.
Even though my son is only 2 years old he’s already showing an interest in learning to play an instrument. We watched a parade recently and recently I asked my son what he wanted to be when he grows up and he replied “In a marching band” 🙂 so sweet.
I wish all schools have mandatory music. It helps kids concentrate. My son’s grades improved a lot when he started music classes
Music is such an important thing for children, I was so mad we didn’t have a music class in my school. I want my son to learn at least one instrument.
Our daughter is loving her first year in band, she got invited to spend two weeks at a fine arts camp this summer and is scared and excited both.
We love music! My husband and I both played an instrument or two for most of our childhood up until college!