THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC EDUCATION
By Artistic Director, Dr. James K. Bass
Singing is the most popular participatory musical genre in the United States!
In a recent Op-Ed entitled, “Where Have All the Pianos Gone?” written by UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Inna Faliks, the article calls out the slow death of music programs in our primary, middle and high school programs in Southern California.
Long Beach Camerata Singers has recognized this problem and is doing something about it.
We have built two compelling education programs.
The Camerata Children’s Music Academy: Our Pre-K program brings three workshops per week to children aged 3 to 5 years at state-funded child development centers. Our music professionals teach the children about melody, harmony, tempo and beat, along with music appreciation, including classical music. It is no surprise to us that the children LOVE the classical music! These programs have a proven track record of effectiveness, and many studies have shown that the learning benefits transcend just the musical knowledge. Early childhood music education improves reading, math and overall learning capabilities.
Peace4Youth: This program brings our Peace Project concert into LBUSD Title 1 Middle and High Schools. A series of workshops teaches the students about the concert’s theme, the composers and the music. The program wraps up with a joint concert between our Peace4Youth ensemble and the school’s choral students to present an assembly to their peers. The students benefit from interacting with adult volunteer and professional singers, learning about music as a career and as a life-long avocation. These partnerships build confidence in the students as young musicians and as part of the larger choral entity.
For more information about the Long Beach Camerata Singers Music Education Programs contact education@lbcameratasingers.org
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