School district to observe Music In Our Schools Month
March marks the 33rd annual celebration of Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM), which is sponsored by the Music Educators National Conference.
This year's theme is "Music Touches Lives." Schools and communities throughout the country and overseas will celebrate with concerts and other activities providing the public with the opportunity to observe the processes and results of music education.
MIOSM is celebrated to "remind us of the positive influence music has on our lives," said past MENC president Mel Clayton.
It also is a reflection of the MENC convictions that the study of music is worth the time, efforts, and financial resources of schools and communities; that musical study in schools leads to lifelong pleasure and achievement; that music itself is intrinsically valuable; and that music can provide individuals the power to achieve through positive self-esteem.
Since 1838, when music was first authorized as a regular subject of instruction, decision-makers have agreed on the importance of music education.
In 1994, the National Standards for Arts Education were accepted by Secretary of Education Richard Riley. The release of the arts education standards reaffirms the arts as being essential to the education of every child.
Recent studies show that students who participate in the arts out-perform their non-arts peers on the SAT. New research indicates that music may be the nutrient that can enhance the development of abstract thinking skills.
The study of music and other arts also provides students with a sense of their cultural heritage.
Several musical events have been scheduled in the Peabody-Burns school district to help celebrate MIOSM.
Junior high musicians traveled Tuesday to Goessel for the Heart of America League music festival. In addition to performances by the PBJH Concert Band and PBJH Choir, many students performed solos and in ensembles.
The PBES fifth and sixth grade bands will present a short Music In Our Schools Month concert at 2:45 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the PBES Gymnasium.
A junior high solo recital by the soloists from the HOAL Music Festival will be held Thursday.
A Music In Our schools Month concert will be presented Tuesday in the Brown Building concert hall. The concert will feature the PBHS Choir, PBJH Choir, PBHS Voices, PBJH Concert Band, and PBHS Concert Band.
A USD 398 faculty-staff recital will be held March 15 at Peabody United Methodist Church and will feature employees, substitute teachers, and parent volunteers.
Several high school vocalists and instrumentalists will participate in the KSHSAA Regional Solo and Small Ensemble Festival March 31 at Tabor College, Hillsboro.
Closing out the month's events will be a dinner-theater presented by PBHS Voices at 6 p.m. March 31 in the PBES multi-purpose room.
The public is invited to attend some or all of these special music events to support student musicians during Music In Our Schools Month.
