Springfield Strings

How is it that music can, without words, evoke our laughter, our tears, our highest aspiration? - Jane Swan (b. 1943)

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo (1802-1885)

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or to bend a knotted oak. - William Congreve (1670-1729)

Music speaks of Platonic truth - the idea river rather than the polluted reality, love as we dream it rather than we experience it, grief noble and uplifting rather than our distracted weeping. It is necessary to our survival and our sanity. - Pam Brown

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” – Plato

The world's top academic countries place a high value on music education. Hungary, Netherlands and Japan have required music training at the elementary and middle school levels, both instrumental and vocal, for several decades. - 1988 International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IAEEA) Test

“Music is exciting. It is thrilling to be sitting in a group of musicians playing (more or less) the same piece of music. You are part of a great, powerful, vibrant entity. And nothing beats the feeling you get when you’ve practiced a difficult section over and over and finally get it right. (yes, even on the wood block.) Music is important. It says things your heart can’t say any other way, and in a language everyone speaks. Music crosses borders, turns smiles into frowns, and vice versa. These observations are shared with a hope: that, when schools cut back on music classes, they really think about what they’re doing - and don’t take music for granted.”
- Dan Rather — CBS News

"The things I learned from my experience in music in school are discipline, perseverance, dependability, composure, courage and pride in results. . . Not a bad preparation for the workforce!" - Gregory Anrig – President, Educational Testing Service

Preparation for Life

We all want our children to experience a healthy, happy and prosperous life and to enjoy themselves in the process. There are certain mental tools which aid in this goal, and music is crucial in honing these tools:

Creativity. Music opens horizons of the mind and supports wonderment, imagination, appreciation, and sensitivity. Creativity is the source of possibility and is a mental muscle that must be trained and exercised often.

Communication. Music is a language beyond words. Music can only be explained with music because of its various styles, textures, tempos, and dynamics. Music truly stirs the soul of people. No words or visual display can come close to the emotional impact of music.

Critical Assessment. Music is one of the key areas where an individual can develop a consistency between intellectual and emotional understanding. Here is the chance to bridge the cognitive and affective data of life, which many feel is the recipe of genius. We can create formulas instead of just solutions, and we can be pro-active rather than re-active. We can open the mind and avoid tunnel vision - and in doing so, come up with discerning opinions which develop quality character.

Commitment. It is almost impossible to be "partially committed" to music. One may quit on a test, refuse to turn in an assignment, or just not be aware of what is going on in a lecture class, but the participation level in music requires a focus of attention unlike most subjects in school. Music causes one to learn persistence and the value of "not giving up," even when there is the temptation to throw in the towel. Many have pointed to "stay power" as one of the greatest personal attributes in our society. Welcome to one of the key benefits of the study of music.

Excerpts from "The Value of Music"
by Tim Lautzenheiser
Attitude Concepts for Today