Shame on us! Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Shame on us! Not Stanton’s and probably not even you, the reader. Shame on our fast food, sound byte, instant gratification, selfish and self centered society!
THE SCHOOL LEVY IN MY TOWN WAS DEFEATED YESTERDAY AND ONLY 11% OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS SHOWED UP TO VOTE!!!
I’m fortunate to be living in the same town in which I grew up, raised my child and plan to retire. Although many academic disciplines and services will now be impacted, the one that matters most to me is the music program. Since at least the 1950s MY school system has produced dozens of composers, professional musicians (classical, jazz, country, gospel, vocal, instrumental, etc.), music teachers, college professors, musical entrepreneurs and music therapists. This is not to mention the thousands of people who are culturally enhanced music consumers, participants and parents as a result of the wonderful music education they received.
Art defines the culture of a people. I’d hate to be around in a thousand years when archeologists discover that we actually made societal decisions to undermine our arts education programs.
I encourage you to navigate to read the entire transcription of Wynton Marsalis’ Nancy Hanks Lecture delivered on March 30, 2009 at the Kennedy Center but here is one of the closing summation paragraphs.
“and as we forward our agendas for our various arts causes, let’s remember there is only ONE cause. And whether that cause is expressed in artists visiting schools, or museum trips, or arts curricula, or master classes, or community bands, or artist diplomats, or swing dance competitions… THE agenda is larger than our individual agendas.”
It’s time to stand up and be heard! Let’s not let the flotsam and jetsam of mass media and pop culture lull us into thinking we have a healthy arts culture in this country. Â Let’s participate, take responsibility and VOTE!
Ben Huntoon
Jazz Education Specialist
Stanton’s Sheet Music