Those eyes, those eyes of the most beautiful candor

I have ever been permitted the pleasure

to stare into ever so longingly.

When at first glance

they appeared to be gray

with what seemed to me the absence of

the life I desired, but now as I gaze deep within

there midnight pupils I see the silver of her soul

like a peacock

within the dark chamber of her heart.

I stand amidst the confines of my will to expose there beauty and

my own;

to harmonize our steps in a rhythmic chanting that

bares in the hearers ears a melody of unparalleled strength.

In coalescence of life and love, to make flowers bloom in fall and

every day nothing less than this

in love.

To caress her almost intangible skin in the enkindled love I harbor

within my boiling blood.

Admitting my secret love in words and emotions could no better

bring her to my heart than to say

air is important, but breathing

unessential.

If I was to ever live for one purpose it would be for her, if I ever

reached some plateau of self respect it would be because she had

brought me there,

and if I take this next breath it is because the last

was unsuccessful.

I came to this mindset by as a defense mechanism in response to my own weaknesses.  The desire to affirm manhood within myself as well as the world I live in. I heard someone on 20/20 say,” masculinity may be hazardous to you health,” a sentiment I have experience profoundly in my own mental health as well as physical expenses ranging from fisticuffs to overwhelming sadness. This pain–oozing through the coarse fabric of my being–manifests itself as hatred, sarcasm, cynicism, and a general malaise of saltines.

The acknowledgement of this characteristic is only the first step.  A long a slippery ascent towards being an edifying member of a society sick with perpetuating misery lies before me, righteousness rising as Kilimanjaro from the deserts of Africa, the refinement of my humanity laying a trail to the heavens–now but to find the courage to continue on.

In order to achieve greater accomplishments musically, to push forward artistically, and to expand culturally, a society must be well versed in that which has already been accomplished, pushed forward, and expanded. Unfortunately, most schools have fallen short of providing the necessary knowledge and music training to keep the progression of music within the United States going. Gretchen Serrie, executive director of the Florida West Coast Symphony, believes that without “strong instrumental training programs” there will be no way for the next generation to achieve as much as previous generations (Robinson 102).  This is unacceptable. Every generation must strive to surpass all that precedes them–quantifying achievements, initiating advancement, contributing proprietary intellect, grafting ideas–in order to rise to the next level of musical prowess.

Artists at some point in their journey use careful study of various works to gain perspective and to sharpen their own voice. This sounding board is crucial to both the development of an artist and social progression; by not instructing children in music theory, the risk of loosing the basic ability to appraise musical works intellectually grows exponentially. Maria Calidonna in a composition for Newsweek entitled, “Let’s Give Our Kids Bach Before Britney,” formulates a compelling notion that, ”They [children in music education] are gaining an understanding of music that will allow them to evaluate whatever they’re listening to, whether it’s a concerto or the latest pop hit.” It is in the skill of artistic analysis and competent assessment that a student can glean the elements in music upon which to build their own perspective of it, affixing a new musical vocabulary, infusing the traditions of old with the maverick spirit of tomorrow.

At one time, almost all children were exposed to a basic education in music theory, listening, performance, and history, the effects of which can be seen contributing to almost every other academic avenue.  In fact, a recent Newsweek article highlights a study which claims that,”. . . learning music can stimulate development of critical areas of the brain (Kantrowitz).” Is there a better way to sum up education’s primary function than that? Has not all education worked to fulfill this goal? Of course it has. Furthering a child’s development of the brain is paramount amongst educational priorities, notwithstanding the fact it is also the key to academic evolution and the progression of the human species.

With just a brief glance around the current socioeconomic landscape, one can easily ascertain the importance of computer skills for the coming generation and the vital roll computers will play in the future, but more important than just the mechanical ability to use a computer is the mental process to understand their functions. An article in Neurological Research published in 1997 concludes that music training causes vast improvements in spatial-temporal reasoning in children at a higher rate than computer training, which adds greatly to school curriculum in math and sciences (Shaw 7). Simply stated, a child who studies music will grasp concepts faster and with greater understanding than those studying concepts like math and science alone. Throughout school, the writer of this essay always struggled with mathematics. Not until attending a musician’s trade school were the concepts of algebra and other basic math disciplines within reach. Just as acts of terrorism invoke questions of its purpose, America needs ask itself why it would limit the recourses its youth demands in order to excel?

Unfortunately, there is a large number of blame-shifting-money-grubbing bureaucrats who insist that because funding for school arts programs are dwindling, and local schools must streamline budgeting in order to keep their doors open, music education programs should be made the financial responsibility of the parents as an extra-curricular activity. Tyler Cowen, a well-known economic commentator, cynically asserts that art as a whole is capitalist–currently and historically. While he may very well be right, simply because music and the arts have been exploited by so many, does not mean it is greedy to its core. As David Schiff puts it, “Music mirrors our identity, so we care about it with narcissistic devotion” (138). A report submitted in the well known trade journal “The Instrumentalist” brings shocking statistics to light with its finding that parents and other outside fundraising strategies are responsible for half of the music program funding in the United States, only allowing children from wealthy families to afford it (Kantrowitz). Although putting financial responsibility for music education on parents may be standard, if the nation is to move forward artistically, intellectually, and socially it must make music programs available to everyone, including those who could not afford it on their own means.

As time slips away and those who are now children become the adults of tomorrow, the heritage of music will be stacked on the dust-ridden shelves of the local record store. The Nation has come so far since its birth, it seems very foolish to alleviate the benefits of an educational system steeped in music simply because the price appears too high. Yet between 2000 and 2004, California alone lost 1,053 music teachers (Silence 4). This is a miserable and mournful statistic that without modification is sure to be repeated as the maturing children of America slip into international mediocrity.