With the full effects of the current economic recession still looming in the not-so-distant future, it's hard to say how it will impact the US education system, exactly. Generally when things get tough, arts programming gets hit hardest. (Or, you know, all the time.) So it's fantastic timing for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to launch its new First Save Music, Then Make History campaign. In addition to Tamia and Gavin DeGraw, Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo and Natasha Bedingfield are among those who will serve as Ambassadors, making appearances at major events and in PSAs that will begin airing on VH1 soon. In light of all this I wonder what experiences you readers had with music education as a child, if any. What impact did it have on you? I'll share first.
When I first picked up a cello at eleven years old as a part of a small
elementary school string orchestra program it really did change my
life. In addition to affirming and adding depth my burgeoning, lifelong love of music it also taught me how to employ the technical and creative virtuosity found in music to other subjects in school and aspects of my life. Without that experience I have would never have become obsessed enough with
good music to envision blogging for SoulBounce and that would have been
the greatest tragedy of all, really. I understand that I was fortunate,
but that shouldn't be the case. All children public schools should have access to music and arts education.
Share your stories or lamentations here, and even though times are tough remember that some of the greatest music and most phenomenal artists found their voices during times of economic hardship. We should do all that we can to ensure that future generations aren't all lost to Auto-Tune and ringtone songwriting overtaking a demand for actual creativity and musicianship. Save the Music. [STM]
