Kids need to learn an instrument while they're young

One of the proposed cuts in the St. Paul schools budget is the elimination of instrumental music programs in elementary school. Music is an important part of the educational curriculum at all levels. It should not be considered "extra-curricular."

While the school district needs to make reductions in spending, the elimination of what many of us consider an academic essential is shortsighted and should be reconsidered. If elementary instrumental music programs are eliminated, it will harm middle school and high school programs within a few years. It is essential to secondary music education that students start on an instrument no later than fifth grade.

At our liberal arts college, we audition and interview dozens of young musicians every spring. Virtually all of these prospective students began their musical studies in elementary band and orchestra programs. Our admissions staff has indicated that incoming students receiving music scholarships score at least one point higher on the ACT exam than non-musicians. These students are also more likely to have been in the top 10 percent of their graduating class in high school.

Many college musicians declare majors in other academic areas (music is an academic choice, as well) and participate as a performing musician for four years. A lot of students consider their involvement in music as the highlight of their college career, even if they pursue other professions. A former trumpet student of mine -- now a Ph.D. psychologist in Iowa City -- once told me that "the most important thing" she accomplished in college was to play a senior recital. Another former student is a heart transplant surgeon in the Twin Cities, who regularly performed on his trumpet while in medical school.

One of my best first-year trumpet students this year got her start at Randolph Heights Elementary in St. Paul. While she will undoubtedly continue her music studies during her college career, she will likely declare a science major. Her talent as a musician has enabled her to attend a highly ranked liberal arts college. Had she not benefited from her early training in elementary school, she might not have been afforded this opportunity.

All of these fine students got their musical start in elementary school.

Music education makes a recognized contribution to children's intellectual development. I urge the members of the school board to learn more before they discuss cuts to the elementary instrumental music programs.

This particular cut, while it may be thought of as an "easy fix," is not a wise move. If enacted, it would soon damage music programs in middle school and high school. Eventually it would lessen the overall quality of education in the district.

Music educators are deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to music education in St. Paul and in many other areas of the country.

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Steve Wright is associate professor of music at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

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