March is best known for its crazy weather, St. Patrick’s Day and the NCAA basketball tournaments.
But for over 40 years, March has also been Music In Our Schools Month, an opportunity to focus on music education around the country.
“The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children—and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music,” the MIOSM website said.
Area music teachers shared why they feel music is important to their students.
“It can touch on emotions and thoughts where words fail. Music can connect people that don’t share the same language, religion, political beliefs or values,” Milford Director of Bands Shawn Thompson said.
Jessica Luebbe, music teacher at Centennial, said music helps in child development, as well.
“It helps in the development of almost every area of a child’s life; memory, stress relief, emotional regulation, brain function, literacy skills, fine motor skills and more. It also helps children develop empathy, build a sense of community and develop pride in their work. Music can help students relax, give them a creative outlet, and is a lot of fun, too,” she said.
Thompson agreed.
“Music helps students in countless ways,” he said. “It allows for students to express their artistic abilities, show emotions, practice a craft that takes years upon years to master. Music is a passion that is life long. I have met many 60-80 year olds that still play their instrument every single week.”
Some students are not musically inclined, but that doesn’t mean music can’t help them, both teachers said.
“I make music accessible for all students by finding music that interests as many students as possible, modifying activities to make them accessible to every student, and giving my students access to as many different instruments as possible so they can find something that works well for them and that they enjoy,” Luebbe said.
Thompson said he likes to believe everyone can learn music, though some might take longer than others.
“I make music accessible by playing music that is not only educational in value, but also music that is fun for students to learn, explore, and play,” he said.
Since 1985, MIOSM has been observed as an annual month-long celebration when schools and communities celebrate music in their local schools and the educators who dedicate themselves to bring music into the lives of students every day,” a news release from the organization said.
This year’s theme is United Through Music and is an opportunity to connect students and communities.
MIOSM was first adopted in 1973 after a presentation to the Music Educators National Conference by Willard I. Musser of the New York State School Music Association. It became a national day of recognition on March 14, 1973, and expanded to a month in 1985.
