The Music Department encourages students to achieve excellence in their musical endeavours. The level of excellence will vary for each student. Therefore, if students do the best they can, they will be reaching their full potential. Involvement in music is a life-long learning experience. Students will want to continue the process of becoming the best musicians they can throughout their entire lives if they become “hooked on music” early in their lives. This happens through what is often described as the “aesthetic experience” which is a special and unique moment when, either as a listener or a performer, the music connects with feelings and emotions in such a way as to inspire the participant to further exploration of music. This exploration is undertaken with real enthusiasm and commitment because it is fulfilling a real need. This can happen in the classroom, the practice studio or in a musical ensemble.
A student’s education is not holistic if they have not undertaken study in one of the arts such as music. The ever-changing nature of music as an art form constantly requires students to be subjective in their observations and analysis thus promoting thinking and problem solving skills to be able to deal with the nuances of life. However, there are many connections between Music and other subject areas such as History, English Literature, acoustics in Science, Drama and Visual Arts. All of these subject areas, including music, require common skills. There is no greater need for decision making or critical thinking skills than in the analysis of a musical work, the reproduction of one through performance or in the production of a new work through composition. Thus music is a vital part of a truly integrated education. Of course,creative thinking is essential in composition and performance and, as such, is part of all aspects of music.
An essential part of involvement in music is involvement in an ensemble. This involvement requires participants to actively interact with each other in the music-making process. Everyone must be contributing or the ensemble is “let down”. Such participation, particularly under the pressure situation of performance, leads participants to become confident in their abilities and improves their self-esteem. The many varieties of situations that performers inevitably find themselves in, encourages the ability to cope with change. As such, participation in musical ensembles helps students become good members of society.
Every piece of music is unique and has something to offer either the performer or the listener. Different people have different preferences of music just as people look for different things in a piece of music. It is a very individual choice. Therefore, the study of music promotes the recognition of individual differences in people and in society. An important aspect of this is developing a cultural understanding so as to understand and appreciate music of different cultures. This frequently involves academic discipline to gain an intellectual understanding of the issues and techniques involved. Part of the uniqueness of music revolves around the instruments used and the way in which they are performed. The physical skillsneeded to perform an instrument require a great deal of constant and dedicated work over years and lead to, amongst other things, good co-ordination.
Music is well recognised as being able to stimulate growth in many aspects of people’s lives. The dedication and self-discipline required in learning a musical instrument (including voice) promotes character growth. Proper participation in an ensemble requires responsibility and integrity while leadership within such a group requires initiative. Interaction with all types of people with all types of personalities either in an ensemble or in an audience promotes social awareness in a very unique way. All of these benefits combine together to make involvement in music a perfect recipe for good citizenship.
