Why EVERYONE should be in Orchestra!

Texas All-State Orchestra Student Average SAT Scores 2008 National Average - 1511 State Average - 1481 All-State Philharmonic Orchestra Average - 1933 All-State Symphony Orchestra Average - 1952 All-State String Orchestra - 2050 "Historically, the music organizations in Texas schools are among the finest in the world. Bands, choirs and orchestras continually receive national recognition and impress audiences the world over. Students enjoy making music and being a part of the music scene in our Texas schools. The study of music is an important part of a complete education." -President George W. Bush "During the Gulf War, the few opportunities I had for relaxation I always listened to music, and it brought me great peace of mind. I have shared my love of music with people throughout this world, while listening to the drums and special instruments of the Far East, Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far North, and all of this started with the music appreciation course that I was taught in a third-grade elementary class in Princeton, New Jersey. What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children." -General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, United States Army "Should we not be putting all our emphasis on reading, writing and math? The 'back-to-basics curricula,' while it has merit, ignores the most urgent void in our present system - absence of self-discipline. The arts, inspiring - indeed requiring - self-discipline, may be more 'basic' to our nation survival than traditional credit courses. Presently, we are spending 29 times more on science than on the arts, and the result so far is worldwide intellectual embarrassment." -Paul Harvey, syndicated radio show host "If I hadn't of had music in my life, it's quite possible I'd be dead and I'd much rather be alive." -James Hetfield, Metallica vocalist & guitarist "All-State music students consistently score over 200 points higher than non-music students, indicating that high performing students have a strong interest in pursuing serious music interests while excelling in other academic areas." -Texas Music Educators Survey "A recent study states that music majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical school, a whopping 66.7%. Biochemistry, the subject area closest to medicine, has a rate of 59.2%." -The Rockefeller Foundation "Music students always outperform non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. Because of their study of music, their skills are better in reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall and concentration." -B. Friedman, "An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes." "According to a recent statewide survey, student involvement in extracurricular or cocurricular activities makes students resilient to current substance use among their peers. Secondary students who participated in band, orchestra or choir reported the lowest lifetime use of all substances." -1994 Texas School Survey of Substance Abuse Among Students "Current research indicates that the fine arts, especially music, influences the brain and actually stimulates spatial intelligence. Students who participate in an arts program experience important learning transfers in academic areas. Participation in the fine arts engenders discipline, a sense of community, trust and teamwork. All of these qualities are essential to a student's potential success in the workplace." -Dr. Mike Moses, Former Texas Commissioner of Education, Former Superintendent, Dallas ISD "The things I learned from my experience in music in school are discipline, perseverance, dependability, composure, courage and pride in results...Not a bad preparation for the work force!" -Gregory Anrig, President of Educational Testing Service "Music opens horizons of the mind and supports wonderment, imagination, appreciation and sensitivity. Creativity is the source of possibility and is a mental muscle that must be trained and exercised often." -Tim Lautzenheiser, "The Value of Music"

Web Links: GoArts.org Support Texas Arts Programs! Return to Curtis Orchestra Home Page SupportMusic.com Learn how to be an advocate for music education! The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation Music advocacy in action! VH1 Save the Music!

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