The Future of Music Is Education

Sound

TEACHERS ARE ALWAYS LEARNING——especially about their students. During my many years at various California colleges, I would conduct informal “general knowledge” surveys in my classes. The results ranged from the humorous to the pathetic and would make sadly funny reading, if I had ever been organized enough to take notes. To sketch a very rough summary concerning one particular area of knowledge, for the vast majority of my students, the arts——classical music, opera, jazz, painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, theater and even cinema——constitute an enormous black hole in the universe.

I came to Beethoven, Bach and Béla Bartók largely on my own steam during high school——so is an early formal education the answer? Jung-Ho Pak certainly thinks so. A profoundly knowledgeable and highly likable fellow, Pak is artistic director and conductor of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra (SDCO). He is also the music director of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and director of orchestras at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has already led festivals in six middle and high schools in the San Diego area——and now he wants to extend his influence even further.

“We are launching one of the most extensive elementary music programs in the San Diego area this fall,” Pak says. “It’s the Frances Hunter Music Memory Program, named in honor of one of the most ardent supporters of music education in the schools and of the SDCO. This program will focus on third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders in the San Diego City Schools and other local districts. The students will learn 16 pieces of music each year. Hosted by the SDCO, teams will compete in a ‘Music Bee’ contest at year’s end. We are also planning a totally outside-the-box program focusing on the importance of arts in the schools.”

Counting the innumerable gray heads in Copley Symphony Hall, I often wonder when the last music lover on Earth is going to depart this vale of sorrow. Sharing somewhat the same apocalyptic fear, Pak wants to nip the problem in the bud.

“Despite the clear evidence that children are more successful in life if they have the chance to experience the arts,” he says, “California music programs have been facing tremendous budgetary challenges since the late 1970s, resulting in fewer music teachers, all of whom have had to deal with marginalized schedules.” He finds hope in various places here, where “miraculous programs are surviving, even flourishing. Incredibly dedicated and passionate teachers have students flocking to them. From mariachi bands to string orchestras, the arts offer hope and an opportunity for creative expression. Some determined parents are developing and managing incredibly creative fund-raising activities for arts in the schools.”

So what can you do? “First,” says Pak, “visit the local school arts program and find out how you might be able to volunteer. Perhaps you have basic knowledge of an instrument or how to read music; that could be extremely helpful to a teacher. Next, find out if the school board is aware of the excellence of programs that are in place and working, especially in good financial times. Join parent support groups and encourage political lobbying for these programs.

“In the end, students need the same creative inspiration we do. For us, it could be gardening, golf, cooking and yes, even music. For a child, the arts are a doorway to creativity and hope.”

Stop the graying of Copley Symphony Hall!

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