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November 29, 2005
The Power of Music
Last night I had the chance to attend “The Power Of Music Awards” benefiting Beth Abraham’s Institute for Music and Neurologic Function… which is a fancy way of saying music therapy. The night was a wonderful event honoring an old friend on his 90th Birthday – Henry Z. Steinway of Steinway and Sons - and Arnold Goldstein the Institute’s founder.
While being regaled with testimony and performances by Billy Taylor, Bruce Hornsby, Lorin Hollander and Moby a number of recent stories began to converge in my head. While the power of music was the theme for this event - beginning to understand the true power of music, in a much broader framework will be of value to all of us.
We get hit with comments, articles, claims, research and stories about music all the time. Often focusing on one aspect of the role of music on one aspect of our society. Time magazine recently featured a story on music therapy. The Institute is full of wonderful compelling stories of people who have benefited from the use of music as a therapeutic treatment. We have heard for the past decade about the power of music on learning and spatial reasoning abilities. Last week a new study from Stanford added on more puzzle piece linking music to the development of language skills. There is now a movement in the music field that is focusing on the wellness aspect of music and “recreational” music making (positioned as different from therapeutic music making)
I recently had the chance to hear Dr. Gene Cohen speak at the ArtsAlive Conference about his recent work, which has been receiving a great deal of interest. The short version of his work is this:
As part of the research project, titled “The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults,” a group of seniors averaging 80 years in age took part in chorale programs at The Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. beginning in December, 2001. After two years of measurement compared to a control group of similar individuals, the music participants:Reported better health and fewer falls
Showed a slower rate of increase in doctor visits than non-participants
Increased medication usage at a significantly lower rate than non-participants
Showed greater improvements in depression, loneliness and morale
Increased social interaction, while non-participants decreased interaction
Also known as the “Creativity and Aging” study, the project is currently assessing the same factors in a second group involved in visual arts, theater, writing and jewelry-making at the Brooklyn, N.Y. center Elders Share the Arts, and in a third group working with textiles, painting, mask-making, Chinese brush painting and poetry at the Center for Elders and Youth in the Arts in San Francisco.
“What’s significant is that the music-making seniors actually showed significant improvement in categories such as falls, social interaction and overall health, where we might have expected only to slow the decline in these areas,” Dr. Cohen indicates.
The folks at the International Foundation for Music Research (one of the lead funders of this study) provided me with the chance to speak with Dr. Cohen earlier this month regarding the long-range impact of his findings. I will be posting an article devoted to his work in the next few days. I will tell you now the implications of his study are extraordinary!
In the mean time it is clear that the power of music is influencing all levels of our society. What we have not been able to do as a community is articulate the complete benefits of music AS THEY ARE KNOWN TODAY. Sounds like a new project for someone… any volunteers?
In the mean time, as we learn more about the physical, social, emotional, and educational impact that music has on our everyday lives… how is it that as a society we can justify denying an education that includes music to our children.
Doesn’t make sense… does it?
Posted by musicforall at 11:47 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 18, 2005
Cuts in Arts Education Risk Leaving Children Behind
For those of you who have followed this blog or my other writings you are well aware of my take on NCLB. The goals and ideals of the law are certainly noble. It is the implementation of the law or misinterpretation of the law that peeves me. It is amazing that so many schools would actually implement an education law without fully understanding the spirit as well as the letter of the law. But, they have... and it has hurt arts programs tremendously.
AEP has released a new report, Third Space: When Learning Matters, which will add another tool to our efforts to make the case for arts education in an NCLB world.
(AXcess News) Washington - Schools that have cut arts education to focus on preparing students for standardized tests might want to reconsider, according to a study released Tuesday.Published by the Arts Education Partnership, "Third Space: When Learning Matters" recounts and analyzes three years researchers studied 10 arts-centric public schools in underprivileged areas. Basing their evaluation on factors more intuitive and less calculable than standardized testing, the study's authors argue that arts education is a panacea for the ills caused by a numbing emphasis on reading and math.
"The presence of the arts in these schools is the reason they've been transformed," AEP director Richard Deasy said.
For years, scientists have correlated art immersion with improved cognitive development; that is among the study's supporting tenets. But "Third Space" also suggests that the arts, when integrated into core curricula, improve student social development, teacher effectiveness and satisfaction, school atmosphere and community involvement.
Now I know this seems like we are stating the obvious... but this is the kind of report we need to help us continue to make the case for arts education in an NCLB world. We may not like it... but it is the reality of the world in which we live.
Read the article... then head to the AEP website to get the report.
AXcessNews.com - Cuts in Arts Education Risk Leaving Children Behind
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November 17, 2005
A National Curriculum?
There has long been this ying and yang about national testing and national curriculum (BAD!) and local testing and locally designed curriculum (GOOD!) that, with the efforts of No Child Left Behind, has now amplified the debate.
This point was eloquently articulated by the great educational thinker Diane Ravitch in a November 7th New York Times OP-ED titled: Every State Left Behind.
While in office, Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton both called for national academic standards and national tests in the public schools. In both cases, the proposals were rejected by a Congress dominated by the opposing party. The current President Bush, with a friendly Congress in hand, did not pursue that goal because it is contrary to the Republican Party philosophy of localism. Instead he adopted a strategy of "50 states, 50 standards, 50 tests"%u2014and the evidence is growing that this approach has not improved student achievement. Americans must recognize that we need national standards, national tests and a national curriculum.
I think she has a very valid point. I know this is heresy to some but let’s think about it. Think of all the redundancies that exist with testing mandates. Each state has their own tests, their own standards, their own way of tracking school performance – most of which cannot be compared between states.
My favorite points she makes is this:
We will be stuck with piecemeal and ineffective reforms until we agree as a nation that education—not only in reading and mathematics, but also science, history, literature, foreign languages and the arts—must be our highest domestic priority.
Amen.
A must read: Every State Left Behind
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November 10, 2005
As Music Fades in Schools, a Few Play On
An Interesting article and series from the Washington Post. It is another in a series of recent articles that speaks to the decline of music and arts education in our schools. An earlier article from the Pittsburg Post Gazette and my commentary is also worth a glance after you read the story below.
What disturbs me most is an inherent assumption by the media (as document by this ECS report, Media Paints Arts Education in Fading Light and reinforced here) that there is something fatalistic about all of this. Almost a sense of “Poor bastards… it’s a shame no one can do anything to change this.”
There is something we can do… fight back!
The past four decades have seen such an erosion in music education in public schools that Leonard Slatkin, the music director and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, calls the situation "quite alarming."Some school systems have whittled their program s to virtually nothing. In Florida, some schools set up musical ensembles, but students are seldom given time to attend. Sometimes music classes will be added to the end of a busy day.
"Imagine putting reading on at 3:30," Slatkin said.
Some musicians -- including Paul McCartney and Willie Nelson -- have become involved in private efforts to raise money for school programs. Still, said Michael Blakeslee, deputy executive director of the National Association for Music Education, private efforts can never take the place of public funding in schools.
The issue of why music should be studied in school -- with so many other basic subjects competing for time -- has been debated for years.Some educators point to research that links music education to higher standardized test scores, improved reasoning and other academic attributes, though research does not always show a causal relationship. Others are loath to make these claims, only because, they say, it shouldn't be necessary to have to construct reasons for music's existence in school curricula.
As Music Fades in Schools, a Few Play On
Oh... and while you're at it... check out the NY Times editorial Every State Left Behind by Diane Ravitch. Certainly provides something to think about!
Posted by musicforall at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
TIME MAGAZINE COVERS MUSIC IMPACT ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Time Magazine featured a story titled "Music and the Mind" in the `Your Time' section of its November 14, 2005 issue.
The story focuses on music therapy and the use of music and song for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Time Magazine writer, Christine Gorman, noted that even though a cure has not been found, a focus on quality of life for family and patients through the use of music and music therapy services is in wide use. "Life without music would be pretty dull, and sometimes we lose sight of how powerful melody and rhythm can be in the realm of medicine, particularly with respect to Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers."
In considering the contribution of music therapy to persons with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, Drs. Suzanne Hanser and Alicia Clair of Berklee College of Music and the University of Kansas, respectively, noted the benefits of music to elicit responses in patients when other stimuli fail and pointed out the use of familiar song to assist in patient transitions and daily routine. According to Time, "more and more nursing homes and hospitals are finding that working with a music therapist can make a big difference."
The role that music plays in so many aspects of our lives makes the compelling case for the need to have music available for our children in schools and communities.
Posted by musicforall at 10:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 9, 2005
Jon Corzine from Band President to Governor of New Jersey
A couple of different thought strands come together for me with yesterday’s election of Jon Corzine to be Governor of New Jersey.
First, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has been outspoken in his comments that “ a seat in the state house is worth 100 people on the steps.” The idea here is that we need to elect music and arts education friendly people to office to help advance the goals of the arts education community.
Secondly, I am reminded of the comment President Clinton made, in speeches and his biography, he would not have been President if it were not for his school music program.
Governor-Elect Corzine (I LOVE typing that) spoke of his limited artistic ability but great support for the arts during the campaign. His perceived limit on talent did not keep him from studying the piano or playing the clarinet. Interestingly enough, he was elected president of the band in high school… much like president Clinton was a leader in his.
My point to all of this is we have been fortunate to have some great political leaders emerge for the arts and arts education. This has been more as a result of luck than by planning. I would forward the argument that we should increase our odds for success by identifying other elected officials or potential candidates to take up our issues or run for office.
We need more music and arts education supporters with “a seat in the state house” to make the long term changes we need to expand access to music and arts education programs for our children. If this is going to happen... we need to make it happen.
Posted by musicforall at 10:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 8, 2005
Battle of the Bands - Jersey Style
OK... who would have thought that the descision to vote for one candidate or another in the NJ Governor's race (still going on as I type this) would come down to "who's your favorite rock band?"
But, for on enterprising voter.. this was the question as posted on politicsnj
"I'm voting around 5:30 p.m. Here is my sole issue: What is Forrester and/or Corzine's favorite rock band? In all the hubbub over who they're dating or formerly married to, no one has answered this question."The undecided voter added that if one of the candidates picks one band in particular, he can get his "wife and two girlfriends to vote for them too." (Not clear if he means the girlfriends of his wife, or girlfriends of his own).
Things are so tight with this election that each campaign's main spokesperson responed... within 30 minutes with an answer!
So, as my last Homer public service of this election cycle... here ya go:
Jon Corzine: Corzine strategist Tom Shea reports that his candidate's favorite rock band is The Band. "Although we are rockin' some Cream," he adds.
Doug Forrester: "Moody Blues & U2," says communications director Sherry Sylvester. (Does Forrester have two favorites for everything??)
Neither guessed correctly. The "magic" band that would have delivered the undecided voter's wife and girlfriends (Jethro Tull was).
So who was the winner?
Our undecided voter has made up his mind. He wants to remain anonymous (probably because, as it turns out, his two girlfriends are not friends of his wife) but he has reviewed the candidates' favorite rock bands and decided to go with...Corzine.As you may recall, Corzine's pick was The Band, while Forrester went with U2 and The Moody Blues. Here's our voter's explanation:
"The Moody Blues and U2 won't hack it. You can't like a progressive rock band and an anti-progressive rock band, it's just like saying the Eagles and the Giants are your favorite football teams. If Corzine wins by between 1 and 4 votes, this is the reason. Thanks again from me, my wife, and my two girl friends!"
The power of music!
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November 4, 2005
Corzine VS Forrester: The Arts
OK. I am going to be a HOMER again. From our Friends at ArtPRIDE New Jersey we have the combined responses to an arts questionnaire posed to our two candidates; Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester. Enjoy!
1. Do you support state funding for the arts administered by the NJ State Council on the Arts through the dedicated revenues source provided by the hotel/motel occupancy fee (a minimum of $22.78 million)?Jon Corzine: Yes. I support the continued implementation of the 2003 hotel/motel occupancy dedication as a practical way to ensure continuous funding for the arts, cultural and historical trusts.
Doug Forrester: Yes. The primary reason the hotel/motel tax was enacted in the first place was to provide a significant percentage of the revenues to arts and history, which constitute an important part of the State’s tourism industry. I support maintaining the “floor” that was established in the legislation, and working toward enhancing economic growth so that we reach the $100 million mark that will in turn result in automatic increases in the amount dedicated to the arts and history.
2. Do you support full funding of the NJ Cultural Trust? (state commitment is $10 million/year which has been met only twice since the Trust was legislated in 2000).Jon Corzine: I will review all state spending if I am elected Governor, including the failure to fully fund the New Jersey Cultural Trust. If state funding is not available, I am committed to working with advocates of the arts to provide leadership in efforts to supplement funding through economic development, historic preservation and other related public and private sources of capital. I believe that artistic and cultural endeavors require both public and private resources. I am proud of my role in supporting the arts, including serving on the boards of both the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Doug Forrester: Yes. As you are no doubt aware, the Cultural Trust is an excellent example of an innovative public/private partnership that provides a stable and permanent source of funding for the arts and history. It supports areas not covered by arts agencies such as capital improvements, debt reduction, endowments, and financial stabilization.
Unfortunately for the arts and history community, the Trust is yet another example of the lack of accountability shown by the current administration and legislative majorities in Trenton. The private sector has met its goals by giving more than $40 million to endowments of arts and history organizations or directly to the Trust. However, the State Government has failed to meet its annual commitment of $10 million.
No doubt this breach of promise has had a chilling effect upon donations from the private sector. As Governor, my administration will work to ensure that this program is put back on track.
3. Would you help promote the arts through intra-governmental agency cooperation (arts and tourism, arts education, travel related signage, arts and aging/health related issues, etc.)?Jon Corzine: Yes. New Jersey has tremendous arts “assets,” such as the Newark PAC to the State Theater and so many other wonderful arts and cultural institutions that the government should promote and invest in. I am a strong believer in an “invest, grow and prosper” philosophy and the arts play a critical role in the state’s tourism industry.
Doug Forrester: Yes. My tourism promotion program includes greater investment in travel-related signage that could benefit the cultural attractions that form a vital portion of New Jersey’s tourism industry.
I would also note that the arts can be promoted through the overall tone of an administration. My friend and mentor, Governor Kean, infused appreciation of the arts throughout his administration, and I would seek to do the same.
4. Do you believe that every student should have arts education as part of a basic education, and do you support the implementation of the visual and performing arts education standards for New Jersey schools?Jon Corzine: Yes. I believe every child benefits from arts education. I think the arts are something that bridge the differences in our society. Arts create a place where people can touch each other's lives across racial, gender, political, all kinds of lines. It enlightens our lives. It's an extraordinary, positive ingredient. While I ended up as a CEO of a major investment company, I started as the 21st clarinet in my school’s band. I know this is a critical issue right now as the No Child Left Behind Act standards are being implemented and I will work with art advocates to ensure that the state’s current arts content standards are implemented.
Doug Forrester: Yes. To the extent that the Core Curriculum Standards are insufficient in this regard, I would consider amending them to provide for enhanced visual and performing arts education.
Interestingly, we know that not everyone learns in the same way, and that education in the arts often can serve to reinforce other aspects of the curriculum. A Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching monograph reported that young people who participate in the arts for at least nine hours each week for one year are:
4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement;
3 times more likely to be elected to class office at their school;
4 times more likely to participate in a math or science fair;
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance; and
4 times more likely to win an award for an essay or a poem.These are compelling statistics. However, beyond the data, I have seen first-hand the value of an education in the arts with my own son, who is currently studying music in college.
5. Are you familiar with ArtsPlan NJ as a statewide blueprint to create a better New Jersey for and through the arts?Jon Corzine: Yes. I support the vision and goals of “ArtsPlan NJ” to make New Jersey a “State of the Arts.”
As a business leader and policy maker, I know the economic impact of cultural institutions on the revitalization of communities. In New Brunswick, for example, the vitality of the theaters and museums has directly contributed to the success of restaurants, coffee shops and other “local supporting” industries and businesses. In locales around the state that have embraced this type of development a common denominator is the strength of the cultural community which celebrates differences and respects similarities.
Doug Forrester: Yes. I received the document at my campaign office. I support the plan and am impressed by the wide array of New Jersey citizens who gave their time and effort to develop it. I congratulate everyone involved with this valuable and thorough undertaking.
6. Please take this opportunity to provide additional comments on how you view the arts and culture as public policy issues.Jon Corzine: My record in the U.S. Senate speaks for my commitment to the arts and culture. In an effort to support cultural and artistic community programs, I voted three times to protect Community Development Block Grants. These vital grants support New Jersey’s major cultural projects in cities, including public art, children’s museums and youth-based after school programs.
Public media outlets have a multi-dimensional purpose, including serving as a platform for arts awareness, education and appreciation as well as a direct source of news and informational programming. When conservatives tried to silence PBS through massive proposed budget cuts, I fought to restore funding and called for the removal of the ideological and partisan leadership.
I support promoting artistic expression and appreciation. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to support deductions of artistic contributions to arts organizations and nonprofit institutions for tax purposes. I cosponsored and voted for legislation that would allow artists to deduct artistic contributions to non-profit institutions.
Doug Forrester: Promotion of the arts and history are critical to life in New Jersey. As I mentioned above, the arts are a critical component in the education of our children. Furthermore, the arts provide tangible economic benefits. The arts can help to revitalize urban areas by attracting patrons to shops and restaurants. Support of the arts and history can also make our urban areas more vital places in non-working hours.
New Jersey is replete with examples of the arts being a cornerstone for economic development. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Newark Museum, the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts in Cape May are but a few examples. It is almost impossible to believe, but a mere two decades ago, Lambertville was one of the most economically depressed small cities in the State. With the arts community leading the way, it is now a prosperous and diverse community that is a nationally-recognized tourism destination and the home for a number of renowned artists.
The arts also play a pivotal role in the tourism industry, and offer travel experiences beyond our beautiful beaches and boardwalks. Places like the Tony award-winning McCarter Theater, on whose board I used to sit, bring the very best theater right here to New Jersey, making it accessible to people who cannot or will not travel to New York City due to age, unaffordable prices for tickets, or disability.
The arts are also a critical component in business attraction and retention. We know from the Port Authority study in the 1990’s that arts and culture are an important factor when CEO’s decide where they want to locate, or whether they are going to leave. Throughout my campaign, I have called attention to the unfavorable business climate that is the result of high taxes, runaway wasteful spending and the culture of corruption emanating from Trenton. In order to reverse this disturbing trend, New Jersey will need to marshal every advantage we have to keep good jobs here and attract new businesses. The power of the arts community can aid greatly in this effort.
As my mentor and former boss, Governor Tom Kean, used to say, “We cannot forget the intangibles.” The arts and history are important to preserve and promote because they are important in their own right. They enrich and inform our lives. They can bridge the differences in society that separate us. The arts can even save and give new purpose to lives that have been harmed through tragedy.
Finally, the arts also endow our citizens with civic pride in our wonderful State. I am proud that I live in a place where my neighbors can readily admire a thing of beauty, get greater insight into the world at large, or simply have an evening of happiness and celebration. I am proud that I live in a State where many cultures are on display, and I hope to lead a State where appreciation of the arts will resonate throughout the Nation.
As I said in an earlier post... the level of discussion on some very complex arts issues shows we really are making progress.
For all my New Jersey brethren... PLEASE VOTE ON TUESDAY!
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