In Tune

The moral is often in the rhyme. Music appreciation and the ability to create are critical to any form of cognitive learning. Some of our finest intellects have flavored their achievements with musical taste. Students who have the opportunity often gravitate to creative expression. On any number of graduation days the top ten have all been participating music students. Island Trees musicians have displayed their talents in varied venues. Those who pursue other life tracks retain an innate ability to take pleasure from a song. Unfortunately it is difficult to quantify creative talent. Novel expression is not easily placed on a graph. It has to be experienced as either practitioner or audience. I recall many who benefited from music education. Two sisters, intellectually gifted, intense, working to master the cello. They were a classroom pleasure, always alert, ready for challenges. Both have excelled in later life and retain their love for the skills taught by Island Trees music teachers. A young man, flirting with the drug culture, considered a problem in the classroom, found release on his guitar. The student who left scraps of verse on my desk, personal words, beautiful words. Our schools have provided a place for the gifted. They must continue to do so. My father had perfect pitch, played guitar, violin mandolin, virtually anything involving strings. He shared his enjoyment with our entire neighborhood. Dad remembered his music teachers. I remember mine. To paraphrase a most applicable psalm, "let us (continue to) make joyful noise." Island Trees has history and a superb staff committed to extending our musical tradition. Attend a concert. Encourage your children to participate. You will enjoy the experience.