by Nancy Linenkugel
Contributor
It's dismaying that many high schools in budget-crunch situations that are faced with the need to make immediate budget cuts often start by thinking that music and art programs are expendable. Eliminate orchestra. Eliminate choirs. Eliminate art classes. Eliminate lower-level string programs because they're not needed if there's no senior-level orchestra to join.
Music is math. Music involves counting notes, rhythms, rests, time signatures.
Music is language. Music is actually a universal language in which people of different spoken languages can still play the same music.
Music is science. Music is exact and specific, with sound coming through waves and vibrations. The designs of acoustic instruments haven't changed over the centuries.
Music is history. Music reflects the culture, environment and time period in which it was composed.
Music is art. Music connects every culture around the world across time.
Music is society. Making music in a group is dependent upon mutual respect, teamwork and knowledge of how to make it all come together.
Budget squeezes are real situations in real school organizations. Surely there is a more far-sighted approach than to simply eliminate art and music?
[Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.]