Music Education: Strike up the band

Music can transform moods, lives and education. That's why we want to celebrate another dimension of opportunity for Seattle Public Schools' children.

Earlier this month, local Rotary clubs, the Seattle Youth Music Association and the school system unveiled an effort to provide instruments for grade school children to get them started and then follow them through high school. Rotary Music4Life aims to provide 1,200 musical instruments over the next two years.

Already, 36 percent of fourth- and fifth-graders in Seattle Public Schools participate in instrumental programs. But the goal of increasing the rate to 50 percent is reasonable; more than 100 students were unable to participate this year because they couldn't get access to instruments.

David Endicott, who helped spark the Rotary Club of Seattle's interest, said research shows musical education opens children to learning about math, science and foreign languages. Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson (a trumpet player in college) said, "This program will bring such joy to our children, all of whom need art and music as part of an excellent education." Many people testify to the difference music makes. Said Endicott of his Wisconsin youth, "I was headed for trouble until our band director put a tuba in my hands."

In a city where the high schools already have some of the best jazz programs in the nation, Rotary Music4Life will open doors to a good future for many more kids.

On the Net: www.rotarymusic4life.org