On April 8th, the music department will hold its annual American Attendance Area Concert, featuring bands from the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Directors will include Mr. Gershenson and Mr. Wong.

This concert is a wonderful opportunity for students and their parents to see the "big picture" in terms of sequential music education from elementary through high school levels. There is never a need to stop playing music, as there will always be opportunities to do so throughout life. Unlike sports, where an injury can cost a career, people who learn to play an instrument or to sing will always have an activity that they will be able to enjoy for their entire lives.

All families of participating students are encouraged to stay for the duration of the concert, which usually lasts until 8:15 P.M. All of the students work hard to put on a great concert and they all deserve to perform for a full house!

Did you know that?...

• Students with course work/experience in music performance scored 51 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT and 39 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than students with no course work or experience in the arts. - Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, compiled by the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), 1995.

• The U.S. Department of Labor issued a report in 1991 urging schools to teach for the future workplace.  The skills they recommend (working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, imagination and invention) are exactly those learned in school music and arts education programs.

• The arts are essential elements of education just like reading, writing, and arithmetic...Music, dance, painting, and theatre are keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment.  Children should be handed these keys at an early stage. - from First Lessons report on elementary education prepared by William Bennett, former United States Secretary of Education.

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