In researching quotes with which to frame this column, there was no lack of available sayings on the importance of music. Even our own Jim Hendrix said, “Music is my religion.”
Why is music so important to us? Why does it stir our souls?
Music, like math, is a disciplined form of communication. A string of notes can instill fear, or make us laugh or cry. It’s why it’s used so extensively as the backdrop to movies. It heightens the emotional content of the scene, draws us in and makes the scene more memorable.
But does music have other benefits?
Educators believe there is a direct link between music and academic achievement. Music is fundamental in teaching kids a whole host of skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
For instance, learning to play a musical instrument teaches motor and listening skills, encourages teamwork, fosters creativity and relieves stress, and teaches a child about discipline and commitment. It even teaches math skills because kids learn basic counting and sequencing.
Joey Roberts, band instructor for Nelsen Middle School here in Renton, says that when kids are involved in playing a musical instrument, “They’re learning a skill and a language that has been around for ages.”
But when school budgets are cut, sometimes the arts programs are the first to suffer. Recently, that was made all the more apparent when Allied Arts of Renton began talks with the Renton School District regarding instruments that needed repair. They found that the school district had just $6,400 available.
And so they formed a partnership. Shari Fisher, donor adviser to the Randy Rockhill Student Instrumental Music Fund at the Renton Community Foundation and an Allied Arts board member, requested a $14,000 grant be added to the school district’s money. The goal was to repair every instrument in Renton’s middle and high schools in time for school this September.
“That amounted to 174 instruments and 31 replacement bows,” says Mr. Roberts.
Where did this money come from? Randy Rockhill was the band and orchestra teacher at Renton High School from 1939 until the mid-70s. He created the Randy Rockhill Fund at the community foundation in 2007, just before he died. Ms. Fisher is his daughter.
“When my dad was at Renton High School,” says Ms. Fisher, “it was the music program to beat. My dad loved to teach music and wanted to make sure every child had the opportunity. He’d be very pleased with this grant.”
A key partner in this enterprise was Allied Arts of Renton. Several years ago, Allied Arts agreed to serve as the community foundation’s liaison to the music community. They accept the grants from the Rockhill Fund and redistribute them. And they were instrumental (no pun intended) in acting as the go-between with the school district on this important project.
“The school district needed help,” says Char Baker, board member. “Without this money, all those instruments would still be sitting on shelves. Now kids are using them.”
Accomplished American composer Aaron Copeland said, “To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”
Inconceivable, he said. And yet, time and again music programs are threatened due to the lack of funds. Thank goodness we have so many champions in our community willing to step forward to keep music alive and well in our schools.
Lynn Bohart is the executive director of the Renton Community Foundation that oversees a number of funds that provide charitable dollars to support the arts, healthcare, education and families-in-need. She can be reached at lbohart@rentonfoundation.org. If you would like to support music in our community, you may contact one of the resources listed here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Randy Rockhill Student Instrumental Music Fund
Renton Community Foundation
425-282-5199
Allied Arts of Renton
P.O. Box 151
Renton, WA 98057
Friends of Renton Schools (raising money for music matters)
Renton Community Foundation
425-282-5199
