Composing Your Destiny
Manny Rodriguez 1
Acknowledgements I would like to thank all my teachers from Freestyle Academy, everyone from the CSMA, and especially Sharon Kenney, the director of marketing and communications, for helping me throughout the project.
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Table of Contents Introduction.....................................................................................................8-9 Chapter 1........................................................................................................10-13 Chapter 2........................................................................................................16-19 Chapter 3........................................................................................................22-25 Conclusion.......................................................................................................27 Works Cited.....................................................................................................29
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Preface There are many reasons why the CSMA is a wonderful location for a documentary, but the main reason I chose this location is because of my passion for art. I love to see other students with the same passion I have, exploring their capabilities and learning many new techniques to improve their art and music skills. Although there were some bumps in the road getting a hold of someone who could authorize my project, in the end the people at the CSMA, especially Sharon Kenney, were very helpful with my documentary. I want readers to take away a new knowledge and understanding about the importance and value of music and art.
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I n t r o Your eyes and ears overflow with beauty. Violins and flutes play delightfully. Stunning landscapes illustrated with long thick brush strokes hang on the walls. You are filled with happiness as you walk through the doors.This harmonious scene is the campus of the Community School of Music and Arts, a marvelous example of why music and art are so important. According to Fran Smith, a contributing editor for Edutopia, “Arts education does solve problems. Years of research show that it’s closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity.” Although, there are many people who argue against this stance. “Popular wisdom insists that the remaining dollars be spent on reading, math, science and (the often-unlisted essential) sports rather than 8
d u c t i o n wasting them on artistic frivolousness like fine arts, music, literature, dance, or theater. These things don’t contribute to the gross national product, they don’t enhance our position in international academics, and they aren’t amenable to measurement by standardized testing. In short, they’re a waste of time and money.” Their major argument is that art and music are a waste of time, time that could be used helping others, and that math and science are more important because they provide more help to others. However, I believe that art and music should be seen as equally valuable to math and science, because they are helping students learn team-building, communication, problem-solving, and many more 21st century skills that, in the long run, will allow these students to find jobs in the future.
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Chapter One Funding
Chapter 1: few years ago a survey found shocking results about music and art cuts, “ In California, a survey found that nearly half of all districts last year cut or reduced art, drama and
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music programs.” Ajukus says, “Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut from shrinking school budgets even though they’re proven to improve academics.” From these quotes you can learn that
music and art programs are being heavily cut, but they are being cut for a couple main reasons. First, music and art are expensive; and second, as Marina Fang says, “a common cost-cutting measure is to
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math, reading, and science.” She is saying that these other subjects are deemed more essential than art when looking at what programs to cut. The CSMA is one of many schools facing the same problem of funding. Linda Covello explains “Around 2008 and 2009 when the economy was that “Around 2008 in a slump the funding went more toward basic and 2009 when the needs of people and the arts were floundering, it economy was in a was really hard to get people to donate toward the slump the funding went more toward arts.” basic needs of people and the arts -Linda Covello were floundering, it was really hard to get people to slash funding for arts what are deemed more donate toward the arts.” education, prioritizing essential subjects such as This goes to show that
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music and arts programs are being marginalized, while math and science are being seen as the top priority. However, many researchers understand the importance of having music and arts classes in a person’s life. Alfie Kohn, a writer from Huffington Post, after listing the many complaints
funded, there is no way for music and art programs to be possible, but art and music are neccesary for students becuase of the amazing skills they help develop. Music and art have been proven to improve academics, and to help students acquire 21st century skills that employers look for. This is why they should be seen as just as important about the school education as music and science system, states, “Now there programs. may be some truth to all of these assertions and the overarching tragedy is our failure to commit to -- and adequately fund -- education itself.� He explains that education itself needs to be adequately funded to fix the education system. Without schoools being properly
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Chapter Two 21st Century Skills
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Chapter 2: From a young age, Ms. Klawe has been fascinated by patterns, shapes, complex structures, light and shadows. She found that an understanding of pattern and structure could yield useful answers to mathematical challenges in algorithms, data
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structures and complexity theory. Painting, especially watercolors, has remained as much a focal point of her life as mathematics and computer science. (My Double Life: From Artist to Mathematician and Back)” This is an excerpt from a document giving some background info on Maria
Klawe, a computer scientist and Harvey Mudd College’s first female president, whose artwork is hanging in the Community School of Music and Art. The document explains how art was a huge influence on her life and how it helped her develop skills that allowed her to get where she is now. Art and music are proven to help develop many skills and improve academics. Fran Smith, a contributing editor for Edutopia, explains, “Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork.” Research 17
from a 2005 report by the the importance of these we need to know what Rand Corporation about the programs and should not these skills are useful visual arts backs up Smith’s say that they are a waste for. Specifically here in claim: “[Arts education] of time or money, and the Silicon Valley, where can connect people more should realize that they do the CSMA is located, there are many companies deeply to the world “Being involved in music or being inlooking for these 21st and open them to volved in learning art, they both teach century skills. Dan new ways of seeing. really important skills like patience, (Why Arts Education perseverance, the ability to collaborate Schawbel, a contributor Is Crucial, and Who’s with other people, the ability, especially for Forbes, explains what his experience Doing It Best)” Even in music, to do multiple things at the was like speaking with if you never end up same time, and I think being in a perWilliam Poundstone, going into the fields of forming ensemble teaches teamwork the author of Are You music or arts the skills and empathy. I think all of those are skills that everybody is looking for in an Smart Enough to Work they help develop are employee in the future. I think those are at Google?. He asks applicable in almost some of the most important skills that any aspect of life. Such kids that are involved in music and art William; What kind of intelligence do you as applying for jobs, or learn at an early age.” schools, or even just -Carrie Campbell need to solve the many puzzles they give you being able to work as a during interviews? And team and to be able to solve problems on a big or help the world become a William responds saying, “They want many types small scale. Knowing that better place. art and music are proven to Now that we understand of intelligence. Google’s help with the development what skills art and music interviewers try to design of skills, people should see help students develop, questions that test (1)
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whether you know your field of expertise; (2) whether you can apply what you know in an unfamiliar context; and (3) whether you can make “creative” leaps to arrive at a solution. Their best questions operate on all these levels.” He also says,”It’s not just about getting a “right answer.” They’re interested in your thought process, and your whole explanation counts.” He explains two skills needed to work at google; creativity and openmindedness, both of which that can be learned through music and art. Music and art teach student to look at everything in different perspectives and to keep an open mind when looking for solutions, clearly giving
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advantage over normal people who think of the obvious solutions. Clearly, these 21st century skills will help students have more job opportunities in the 19
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Chapter Three Arts For All 22
Chapter 3: lthough music and art programs tend to be expensive, they are obviously worth the cost, but if you absolutely can’t afford them, there are still ways to access these programs. The CSMA has a mission of “Arts for All”, so they try to help students who can’t afford the program. For example, the CSMA has a variety of options to help cover the cost of tuition, as explained by the music director, Carrie Campbell: “We have a financial aid program, so if people need tuition assistance or something like that, we can provide that. We’ve also in the past, for older students and even adults that might
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not be able to afford it, offered a work study program where they can volunteer to work off their tuition. So we have both of those. We also have some scholarships available for students who have a real talent for it. So between scholarships and financial aid and work study we’re
able to help people.” She explains just a few of the many ways these programs can be made affordable for people in need. They are very flexible in how the cost of tuition is taken care of, so that the price of the program cannot be used as an excuse of why a student 23
does not pursue music or art. Sarah K. tells her story of how her and her brother were able to afford the program in a review of the Community School of Music and Arts: “This review is coming from a 26 year old who spent more than a decade of her life at CSMA. If you’re the type of parent who wants their child to excel in playing the piano, you need to come to CSMA. HOW ON EARTH DO I AFFORD THIS? Ask for their merit scholarship. Now you might think “oh, her family is affluent and have money at their disposal for years of lessons”... Actually no. My family rented a room in east side San Jose for 24
a majority of my life. We didn’t eat out at fancy places... The fanciest place we ate was Happi House (a Japanese fast food place). My mom stayed at home to take care of me
brother and I worked hard every year to maintain it. If you’re a parent reading this review and think you can’t afford it, talk to them. They’ll work things out one way or another, especially
and my brother, while dad was the only one working and we barely made ends meet. CSMA provided scholarships for us, and my
if your child is gifted in arts and/or music. CSMA will take care of all your needs, whether you have the money for it or not.
Music isn’t only accessible to those with money. Ludmila Kurtova is THE BEST piano teacher in the Bay Area. Hands down. And I’ve had my fair share of teachers who never knew
day I’ll be able to return the favor. Until next time…” This is just one example of how the CSMA helps students who can’t afford the program through scholarships, but many
We have a financial aid program, so if people need tuition assistance or something like that, we can provide that. We’ve also in the past, for older students and even adults that might not be able to afford it, offered a work study program where they can volunteer to work off their tuition. So we have both of those. We also have some scholarships available for students who have a real talent for it. So between scholarships and financial aid and work study we’re able to help people.” _Carrie Campbell
how to nurture my growth in music. CSMA believes in arts for ALL. Thank you CSMA and Ludmila for the change you’ve made in our lives. I just hope that one
Most organizations that offer them consider them an investment rather than a gift.” The school invests their money because they believe that you are worth it, and you will help them in some way in the future. This money that they invest comes from companies that sponsor this school, but with so many companies in the area focusing on other programs such as math science and technology, it is often hard to come up with money for scholarships.
people don’t understand how scholarships work as Gallagher Flinn from HSW explains,”However, though a scholarship isn’t a loan, it’s not just free money either. 25
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Conclusion It is very clear to see that music and arts are incredibly helpful in developing new skills, and should be seen in a new light thanks to research, so that people will understand how important they are. People need to understand that music and arts will help people develop skills such as gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, concentration, teamwork, and ver-
bal skills that in turn will help create solutions, and even invent new things. Specifically with these new skills that allow you to get new jobs, like even at google, you can invent new websites, phones, computers, etc. that will help in the future. I also believe that there will be many bright things in the future of the CSMA including intelligent, creative, and awesome musicians and artists,
and even people who won’t continue art or music will have an advantage against people who never had the opportunity of learning all the skills required to achieve great successes. Ask yourself the question; What can I do to spread the word about the value of music and art education?
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Works Cited 11 Facts About Arts in Education.” 11 Facts About Arts in Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2015. Hanrahan, Mark. “School Budget Cuts: Educators Fear Deepest Cuts Are Ahead.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015. “Public Schools Slash Arts Education And Turn To Private Funding.” ThinkProgress RSS. N.p., 05 Aug. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2015. “The Skills Connection Between the Arts and 21st-Century Learning.”Education Week:. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2015. “STEM Sell: Are Math, Science Really More Important than Other Subjects?”The Answer Sheet -. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2015. “Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best.” Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. Covello, Linda. Personal interview. 10 March 2015. Campbell, Carrie. Personal interview. 12 March 2015. “How Scholarships Work - HowStuffWorks.” HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. “Community School of Music and Arts.” - Art Schools. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
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Manny Rodriguez is a junior at Freestyle Academy and Mountain View High School. He enjoys playing video games and a few sports. He often spends his free time on the internet watching videos on youtube, or browsing reddit. His favorite class at school would have to be a tie between WebAudio or Design at Freestyle. He is glad he has had this amazing oppurtunity. 31