Final dynamic

Let There Be Music!

The Musical Arts, or More Accurately:

The Underdogs of School

Saving Sound

A Look Into VH1’s SAVE THE MUSIC Charity and the Central Music Academy

What’s Your Genre?

Discover The Different Types of Music You Can Listen to

Lasting Impressions How Does Music Affect You?

SPRING 2015

7 Let There Be Music!

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Letter From The Editor

Meet The Makers of Dynamic

Find Your Groove

Indescribable

Music Saves

Did You Know?

Letter from the Editors

Everyone has goals that they place in their lives to achieve success. Our goal for Dynamic is to inform and educate our readers about the importance of music and the impact it has on peoples lives. We also go into depth about school music programs, organizations that save the music foundation in our schools, all the while bringing you information about the different genres of music. We believe that even though you can’t touch music, music can touch you.

Rachel Montgomery

Annabelle Crockett

Keegan Elvidge

Madison Cissell

Who’s Who in Dynamic Meet the Makers Behind the Magazine

Keegan Elvidge is a 10th grader here at Woodford and is a proud trumpeteer in the High School Concert and Marching Band. Keegan has been playing the trumpet for 6 years now, and plans on joining the school’s Jazz Band next year. Along with playing the trumpet, Keegan is also a member of the Woodford County High School Track and Field Team, and enjoys snow skiing in his free time. In college he plans to study Dentistry, but isn’t quite decided on his future career plans.

Rachel Montgomery is also a 10th grader at Woodford County High School.

For her, music plays a huge part in her life. She is currently in Choir and is joining Band next year. Outside of school, Rachel sings in in her Youth Worship Team at Woodford Community Christian Church. Music has taken such a toll on Rachel’s life that after highschool she plans on going to college to pursue a career in music.

Madison Cisselll is a current sophomore at Woodford County High School.

She plays the clarinet in Woodford’s Marching and Concert Band, and has been playing her instrument since she was 11. She serves as the Sophomore Representative on the Woodfrod County High School Band Council. Along with band, Madison is also on the Woodford County High School Swim Team.

She plans on pursuing a career in the medical field, but knows that playing her instrument will always be one of her favorite pastimes that she can hopefully continue throughout life.

Annabelle Crockett is a current sophomore at Woodford County High School. With nearly 5 years of choir under her belt, she hopes to pursue a career in vocal music.

Annabelle has some experience playing instruments such as piano, guitar, and percussion. Annabelle also enjoys participating in musical theatre and has been in 6 shows so far. She aspires to spend her future being an elementary school music teacher.

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Find Your Groove

By Madison Cissell

O

ur society today revolves around music. Music serves as an escape, inspiration, or pastime to many people.

This can be seen in the emergence of different styles, songs, and groups today.

People are constantly listening to music and using its attributes for the personal benefit it offers.

In the US, there are many different genres of music that citizens choose to listen to.

Whether it be Classical, Pop, or even Rap, nearly everyone has a favorite type of music. But when and where did these genres originate? How did they become popular enough to be prevalent today?

As of right now, the most popular types of music are Rock, Country, Electronic, Rap & Hip-Hop, Punk, Indie, Pop, Rhythm & Blues, and Alternative. With origins from early America to West African slave culture, all genres of music have their own unique stories of success that has led them to be so popular today.

When asked on their preference of Rock and Roll, most students showed a clear preference towards this genre.

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An Indie Rock band, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, plays at a local resturant that promotes musicians throughout the area.

Rock and Roll Some people would describe Rock and Roll as rebellious, spontaneous, and energetic, so who would have thought that this type of music would have originated in the 1940’s? With an affordable guitar open to the world, this genre gained popularity in the 50’s. Nobody can give a precise definition of what rock and roll is but many have found escape in it’s melodies, with teenager angst being a main contributor to its growing popularity in its beginning.

Today, Rock and Roll is seen as a classic genre of music that almost all high schoolers listen to, because of its upbeat and complex rhythms that offer easy sing alongs that are enjoyable to experience.

In the survey I conducted, the preference of Rock and Roll music stayed towards the positive side and proved to be popular among students. here.

Country With roots buried deep in the Appalachian Music, country music was first recorded and sold in the 1920’s. Unlike other types of music, country music survived the Great Depression and the hardships of the 30’s, with country music gaining popularity in both the radio and television industry.

Rap and Hip-Hop is either very popular amongst students at Woodford County High School.

Throughout the 40’s and 50’s, new styles of country emerge, such as Western Style and Bluegrass, which founded country music to where it is now. Today, country music is seen as one of the most popular genres of music with trends still rooted in the south. Fans find Country music exciting and personable, with songs ranging from ballads to upbeat rhythms. Country is popular here, but most students strongly dislike it when asked about how they specifically feel about the genre. , according to the survey.

Students showed no clear majority on their preference of Country Music, although most disliked it.

Rap & Hip-Hop Although seen as two different types of music, Rap & Hip-Hop share characteristics when it comes to their origins and the breakdown of their music. The main distinction between the two is in terms of expression, with rap seen as being more emotional and raw, whereas hip-hop is more peppy and exciting. Rap became

popular among communities in the 1970’s, but it didn’t truly become popular in 1979 with the release of “Rapper’s Delight”, by the group The Sugar Hill Gang. Transformation occurred in 1990 when rap become more than just rhyming, and turned into a type of music that showed expression and deep emotions over controversial topics, that continue to be produced today.

Hip-Hop music rose to popularity in the 70’s as well, within the Bronx and Brooklyn. It has similarly developed over time but has kept its African American roots throughout time. Both of these genres have become popular due to their aspects of reflection of deep and complicated emotions in rap, and a upbeat and moving beat in Hip-Hop. Based on a survey I conducted here at Woodford County High School, Rap and Hip-Hop was the most popular genre of music amongst the student population, although most students claimed that they only showed a neutral preference towards it.

Punk With roots dating back to the 1960’s, Punk Rock was originally used to term garage musicians. In the late 60’s bands started to appear that started riots because of

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the controversy they brought to the stage, but nonetheless, this genre of music continued to emerge in New York City and London, England. Punk music is considered to have stopped changing and and molted into its current form of music in the late 70’s, with more music being produced to this day. Fans find comfort this oddity, where expression is welcome no matter how you interpret it. It’s controversy hasn’t wavered because of its image and values.

Although it shows little popularity among students at Woodford County, it is gaining popularity across the rest of the U.S. Indie This genre of music is a hard genre to categorize on the history aspect, due to its nature. Independent music is produced because the band or musician writing and performing the music isn’t signed to a record label. But, we do know that Indie music began to become popular and produces in the 1950’s and 60’s. However, independent music didn’t gain much popularity until the 1980’s. Indie music is praised for its uniqueness and creativity, along with the fact that they aren’t constantly played on every radio station. People enjoy listening to this music because of the unique sound that is often produced and the scarcity of its actual production.

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Pop One of the most prevalent types of music today, pop music can be defined as whatever kind of music is popular according to the times. Today pop music is often upbeat and romantic, and played quite often on the radio because of its popularity. Pop

music is also created based on the preference of the urban middle class at the time of production. Pop music is said to have originated after the Industrialization of America in the 1800’s. However, pop music is usually classified as the same music as that if the rock n’ roll revolution that started in the 1950’s. Pop can also be seen as a melting pot of different genres.

With influences from Latin, Rock, R&B, Country, Disco, Punk, and Hip-Hop, pop music is ever changing, but the main goal for it is bringing pleasure to its listener’s ears. Pop music is still popular today and most students concluded that they enjoy the music overall.

Pop Music also proved to be well liked by students, according to the survey.

Alternative Alternative music is said to have emerged in the 1980’s and can basically be described as the sub genres such as grunge, indie pop, indie rock and underground music, when produced by independent artists. This music is usually played with acoustic guitar, which soothes its listeners. Many bands find similarities in their expressions and the ideals of alternative music and label themselves as alternative.

But it’s boost to popularity can be contributed to the popular Alternative rock band Nirvana of the 1990’s, with Alternative

music still rising on the charts today. Alternative proved to be one of the most popular genres at Woodford, but it is obvious that it hasn’t made a full emergence based on the neutral answers I received on the survey.

According to the survey, most of the student does not know or care much about Alternative music

I had the pleasure of interviewing a teacher here, Mrs. Susan Carey, on music throughout the decades. When Mrs. Carey was a high school student here at Woodford County High School, she said that Motown music, British Rock and Roll (especially the Beatles and the Rolling Stones), and Folk Music were all popular genres that kids her age listened to. She elaborated on the fact that most kids liked these types of music because they were great to dance to and that the lyrics of the songs poke about popular and controversial issues of that time period. She said Folk music was a main contributor to the “new issues” aspect and that kids loved British Rock because it was new and different compared to traditional genres teenagers listened to.

I then asked Mrs. Carey if she saw any major differences between today’s music and music from her youth. She said that music today speaks more towards violence and crime and that the lyrics are definitely more graphic today than they were in the past. She says that music today is still good for dancing, and although modern music does speak of current issues, but not from a world view. When asked why music is popular today, Mrs. Carey is unsure, she only hears current music at local WCHS dances or when someone is performing on TV. “BTW- I hate rap!” is what Carey has to say to the highly popular music choice amongst the students. Sorry Mrs. Carey, Rap is the most popular genre here at Woodford County High School!

When considering music in general, it can be seen as very abstract and interpretive.

With countless genres and subgenres available to the public, there’s an endless scope of all the ways music is created and performed today. By hitting on a brief history of the most prevalent genres today, I was able to easily to see just how diverse the language of music can be It’s interesting to see just how much music has changed over time but how some tastes just seem to never go away.

As a whole, the survey shows that most students in Woodford County like Rock and Roll, Pop, Rap and Hip-Hop, and Country.

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Let There Be Music By: Annabelle Crockett

Baritone player Jacob Wolford performs in the Woodford County High School Marching Band’s show, Beloved on Senior Night. (Picture by Liz Wolford)

F

riday night lights! Screaming crowds fill the stands, everyone’s attention drawn to the field as the football team charges on. It feels like the entire school is there, shoulder to shoulder, rallied around the team. In the corner of the bleachers sits the enormous band, ready to play, ready to perform. But the focus stays on the team. Despite their numbers, the lights do not shine on the band.

While sports teams are being heavily funded by their schools, music programs are not given a second glance. It raises questions about where schools believe their students should focus when it comes to extracurricular activities. Why should athletes be given special attention? Why not the musicians?

Unfortunately, along with many schools across the nation, Woodford County Schools have fallen victim to this “of epic proportions” issue. I’m here to ask, how can we change this, and give power to the music?

Stereotypes: A Cause for Low Funding?

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When you watch a movie about high school, you hear music kids referred to as “The Band Geeks”.

Yet the football players are called “Popular Jocks”.

Everyone is stuck under a stereotype, but these are a bit more real. It’s not a secret that athletes get

more attention than musicians. That there are bigger crowds at sports events than at a choir concert. 74% of students surveyed said they would rather attend a high school football game than a band concert. (And these students are in choir!)

The school recognizes this popularity and funds the activities accordingly. The school Board gives over $17,000 to the High School sports teams for transportation, and the money is split between the teams. The marching band however, receives less and students are required to pay band fees to be a part of high school concert and/or marching bands.

Sing!

As a member of both of the choirs at our high school, I am extremely involved in musical activities.

The arts are where I belong, as well as many other students! When the classes started this year, Mrs. Sarah Grubb spoke enthusiastically of the budget being raised. As the director of both choirs, Mrs. Grubb was excited to order more music for both choir and advanced choir and challenge her students with harder pieces. She was even hopeful for clothing with matching logos for the Advanced Choir and

better sound equipment for concerts!

Unfortunately, the money provided for the high school choirs is not very much. At first glance, the amount seems to be high, but things can be expensive. Most of the music pieces that are ordered, can be $200-$300 purchases. This leaves little to no money to buy new equipment for the choirs or a larger variety of music.

And it’s not just the vocal choirs, the two handbell choirs are lumped under the budget too. The money has to be equally split between 4 choirs.

“Sometimes it feels like we will never be able to get the equipment, transportation, music, competition/ festival fees and uniforms we need because we use practically every penny we have on legally buying the music and paying for students to go to events that they can not afford,” says Mrs. Grubb.

Another vocal music opportunity, led by Mrs. Grubb, at the highschool is the female acapella group, The Honeybees. An acapella group means everyone involved creates music using just their voices. The Honeybees earn money by performing at gigs and local events. By being in the group, members say they gain further musical experience, group skills, and a drive for success caused by being

“I do think the arts in general should receive more money considering all of the student participation.” -Natalie Grenfell

surrounded by so many other talented performers.

While the group does not exactly offer anything to the school, the opportunities it provides students are invaluable. Most of the girls are planning on continuing with music in their futures, and say that the group encourages them to do just that! Honeybee member, Natalie Grenfell, says “I think [The Honeybees] should [be funded] but not necessarily very much because we don’t necessarily do/use much that requires a lot of money. However, I do think the arts in general (visual, vocal, musical, theatrical..) should receive more money considering all of the student participation and the money necessary to fund the activities involved therein.”

Music in an Education Music and sports are usually considered

74.5%

25.5%

Woodford County High School’s football team, The Yellow Jackets, play against the Marion County Knights (Picture provided by Meghan Robertson)

41 people surveyed said they would rather attend a Football game. 14 said they’d attend a Band concert

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band director, says music is, “what teaches you to be human. It teaches you to have feelings; to love, to laugh, to cry. The arts teach something that a computer will never be able to and it’s so important for students to be able to learn that.”

Touchdown!

In that case, I wonder, what do sports teach us?

I have no idea! I don’t play sports! Luckily, coaches have opinions too. According to the high school football coach, Mr. Stonebraker, sports “provide opportunities to enhance the educational experience of students as there are lessons that are learned much better in those settings than in the classroom.”

Having sports as an option in high school is very important to a student’s education and social growth.

The opportunities a sport may present can provide a connection to the school for students and foster more pride in the institution itself.

Here’s my question: Can’t music do that as well? 42% of students surveyed said they strongly believed marching band could be considered a sport. Marching band is very athletic; as athletic as many sports are. But some people would argue that it couldn’t be defined as a sport due to the lack of athletic ability needed to succeed. It’s all a matter of opinions on that one.

Many people are involved in both sports and musical activities. 84% of students participating in choir are involved in an activity other than choir

How Many Students Believe Music is Important to Their Education Number of Students

extracurricular activities or electives. They aren’t required courses because not everyone needs them to excel in college or a particular occupation. While this stands true, there are people who need these activities for their future.

For example, music teachers at the middle and high school say that the music programs they were involved in while in school encouraged them to continue down that path. Mrs. Bowmer, the music director at Simmons Elementary, says “The entire reason I went to college for music was my high school band director. I saw the difference in the lives of students he made, including myself, and I wanted to be able to do that through something I love like “I saw the music!” And it’s not just difference in the teachers.

27% of lives of students students involved in choir at [my high school band the high school, responded director] made,” in a survey saying -Sabrina Bowmer they would most likely continue with music in their future careers.

The majority of the students strongly agreed that music is important to their education. Having a musical aspect as a part of their everyday education gives students a sense of exhilaration and a break from sitting at their desks all day. I know that I personally look forward to choir everyday because it is a class that I enjoy rather than tolerate.

Whether you will end up needing music to succeed in your future life or not, opportunities provided in school fill the gaps students may have. Mr. Bowmer, middle and high school band director and marching

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Woodford County Marching Band on Senior Night (Picture by Liz Wolford)

Level of Importance

How Many Students Believe Marching Band is a Sport Number of Students

itself. 63% are involved in sports activities. Mrs. Grubb participated in volleyball along with acting in musicals, singing, and playing piano. Mr. Bowmer played baseball and basketball in middle school and only recreationally in high school because he was focusing on band. His wife, the music director at Simmons Elementary, played golf in her junior and senior years of high school side by side with taking voice lessons for 13 years.

Just a Recap Speaking of Simmons, elementary schools have music programs too. According to Mrs. Bowmer, at Simmons, “the music program receives more funding than some other programs around the area. However, even what we receive isn’t a lot when you consider upkeep on the instruments that 500 students play every year, subscriptions to online resources for teachers and students and new materials needed every year for performances.” So again, even with what we may call a lot of money, music programs are seen falling because of the expensive music and equipment.

To have good music programs, schools need a lot more money. Instruments, music, sound equipment, and in some cases uniforms, cost crazy amounts.

But when one looks at the products of well-rounded students produced from arts programs, it should be

Level of Belief enough to convince them to be more generous and fair with money. Students receive lessons that can’t be taught in a core class by being in band, choir, or even involved in musical theatre. And just because the music and equipment may cost a little more, does not mean music programs don’t deserve the money. Opposed to sports, music isn’t competition.

It’s harmony.

Music helps students to grow into the person they were meant to be. Music inspires people to be themselves. It inspires them to express who they are. Music teaches kids things they couldn’t possibly learn in a classroom. Music brings kids closer to each other. So to quote the ever so amazing J.K. Rowling, “Ah music, a magic beyond all we do here!”

The mixed choir writes positive things such as “Your smile brightens my day!” on paper on each other’s backs. This allows them to bond as a class and as a family. (Picture by Sarah Grubb)

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Indescribable By: Rachel Montgomery

allow me to connect with God. When experiencing that connection, the feeling is indescribable. Then having the thought of whether or not music had done the same for anyone else made me want to interview a series of people. Choosing the interviewees was not difficult for me because I knew what type of people I was going to target.

The New Underwood

By: Rachel Montgomery

Do you ever find yourself looking for

that perfect melody to get away from life and find a new dimension? Music is known for changing people’s lives, for setting the path of the rest of someone’s life. We often look for something to help us fill a constant void of all the emotions, yet there’s no solution for this except for music.

Music for me has impacted my life tremendously in so many ways. Being able to connect with the music on a different level than most people is what I love most. For me, where I sing on the Youth Worship team at Woodford Community Christian Church I use music to

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Kari Underood, a former WCHS student is mistaken for the famous singer Carrie Underwood. But the thing is that Kari has an outgoing and unique By: Rachel Montgomery personality. She is very strong in her faith and has helped me grow in mine tremendously. Getting to know her more and more everyday has been a treat for me. When it comes to music she has also helped me grow stronger in my love for music. Knowing the love she has for music and God from seeing her at church and school I decided to interview her.

Dynamic: Has music impacted your life in anyway? If so, how?

Kari Underwood: Music has literally changed my life. I listen to all types of music, but worship music is by far my favorite. Most people read their bible and hear from God, as do I but for me

worship music is where I hear from God the most. When I’ve prayed about what God wants me to do, it usually becomes clear to me when I’m worshipping him through music. It’s crazy how powerful music can be.

Dynamic: Is music important to you? If so, why?

KU: Music is one of the most important things in my life. It’s a way to express how one is feeling. It’s an outlet. When I’m playing music, I’m in my own little world and it’s like nothing else matters.

I would even say it’s a big way to relieve stress and without it I don’t know what I’d do.

Dynamic: When and in what situations do you revert to music?

KU: I revert to music in every situation.

But like I said when I absolutely don’t know what to do, I listen to worship music and listen for God to tell me.

Dynamic: Does music play a big part in your life? If so, how?

KU: Music is what I do. Playing for the youth worship team at Woodford Community Christian Church is a big part of my life. Sunday nights when I play is what makes my whole week feel complete. So yes, music does play a big part in my life Kari Underwood loves music but not as much as she does God. She loves the connection there is in the music with her and God. I love to watch and hear her sing “Our Father” by Hillsong,

because you can not only see the connection and how much joy it brings her to sing but you can feel it too. Music for her is as she said what she does and it’s apart of her.

Eaton This Jason Eaton is the worship leader at Woodford Community Christian Church in Woodford County.

Knowing that, and By: Rachel Montgomery knowing him through worship team I decided to contact him and interview him.

Dynamic: Has music impacted your life in anyway? If so, how?

Jason Eaton: For me music has definitely impacted my life. Since I was little I always wanted to play instruments and play music. I would always be singing songs in the shower you know? Loved music. And now that it’s part of my job, you know it’s impacted me even more. I think for me personally music has allowed me to seek God in different ways. For me music, it’s a powerful thing that we can use to experience God in different ways then just maybe reading your bible or just listening to music or anything like that.

But I think it’s something that impacts every aspect of our body, our mind, our heart, our soul, our spirit. All of those things, I think it’s just something

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God uses in a powerful way to draw us closer to him and to draw us to other Christians you know that we’re all singing the song together; we’re all doing this thing together. So music has definitely impacted my life.

Dynamic: Is music important to you? If so, why?

JE: Music is very important to me.

One because if there was no music I wouldn’t have a job. But I think music is important to me like I said before I think it affects your heart, it affects how you feel, it affects your emotions. You could be in a bad mood and then one minute some song that you like comes on and it could just change your mood.

So I just love how music impacts everything that you are as a person. So yeah, music is very important to me.

Dynamic: When and what situations do you revert to music?

JE: Well I listen to music everyday, pretty much all day. But I think for me whenever I need some time alone, I will put on some instrumental music and then it just kind of helps calm me down or maybe it encourages me.

Music is definitely something that helps me process thoughts if I’ve gotta think through something or if I’m studying something or I’m reading something I’ll just have music on. So really in almost every scenario of my life I use music.

Jason Eaton has an amazing passion for music. He sticks to what he believes and doesn’t let the world in-

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fluence him. Mr. Eaton puts God first in everything he does. When talking to him, you just see how he lights up when talking about God and music.

You can definitely tell that music has made a major impact in his life for him and has left the experience of leading worship music indescribable for him.

Touch Your Hart Hannah Iglehart is a positive, kind hearted young lady.

She stands firm in what she believes. Knowing Hannah through worship team, By: Rachel Montgomery band and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) I decided to interview her.

Dynamic: Has music impacted your life in anyway? If so, how?

Hannah Iglehart: Yes definitely, always growing up my mom would sing us christian songs and it helped me connect more with her but also with God. And it was cool because it was a different way than other people do.

Like other people read their bible but I connect to God better with music.

Dynamic: Is music important to you? If so, why?

HI: Music is extremely important to me. One because it gives me a way to express myself in ways I normally couldn’t. It has just been a huge part

of my life. Like it’s helped me grow as a musician and also spiritually. It was really cool to experience that where some people just don’t get to.

Dynamic: When and what situations do you revert to music?

HI: Most definitely when I’m at CIY (Christ In Youth) and feeling very passionate about worshipping during that time that normally I wouldn’t inside of my church just because it’s different there. It’s hard to understand if you haven’t experienced that feeling.

Dynamic: Does music play a big part in your life? If so, how?

HI: Yes, like it’s just always been there and probably will always be. It’s something that doesn’t go away. You know friends come and go but music just stays there forever.

Hannah Iglehart has a strong passion for music and God . For her music has been a part of her since a young age. I love watching how she lights up when she’s doing anything with music.

It’s like you can see that music has opened opportunities for her and allowed her to experience so much. Music has definitely made a major impact in her life. Especially with strengthening her faith.

Music truly makes a difference in peoples lives. It gives them a new perspective on everything. With every interview, being able to see how each individual lighted up when talking

about music was amazing. People do not realize the impact music has had on their lives until they have to think about it. Music has not only made an impact on people’s lives but it also changes them.

YOU CANT TOUCH MUSIC, BUT MUSIC CAN TOUCH YOU.

Special thanks to the interviewees: > Kari Underwood > Jason Eaton > Hannah Iglehart

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Music Saves By: Keegan Elvidge

SAVE THE MUSIC preaches Vh1’s and Central Christians Church’s charity organizations dedicated to providing a quality musical education and restoring musical programs across the state and nation. Vh1’s organization serves over 231 school districts across the country. They provide musical instruments for less fortunate or underfunded musical programs, and students,all the while spreading their impact across the country.

On a more local scale there is a similar organization centered in Central Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Resembling the Vh1 charity Central Music Academy works to provide music education to less fortunate students, as well as private lessons. Central music academy has served over 800 students, and they continue to serve. These charity’s show that music is important to students and teachers alike. Countless students benefit from these wonderful organizations.

Although these two programs are similar in the fact that they provide musical educations for underprivileged students they differ in that Central Music Academy has a more classroom approach while vh1’s organization is more focused on providing students instruments.

Also one organization is nationwide while the other is centered right here in Kentucky. Let’s focus on the local first. Central Music Academy is led by the music minister at Central Christian Church, Michael Rintamaa.

It is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a quality education for financially disadvantaged students. The academy partners with with the community and other arts programs. CMA’s dedicated teachers have served (and continue to serve) over 800 students. 100% of CMA students receive free music education. Students can choose between private lessons, group lessons, and even music camps.

Due to CMA’s multiple locations (two to be specific) students have easy access to wind, percussion, strings, brass, piano and even voice lessons. Not to mention jazz improvisation and guitar classes. All the while being taught by highly qualified teachers and instructors from all over the state. This fantastic organization has impacted countless lives, and gives the gift of music to eager young students serving ages eight to twelve.

A young musician participates in private lessons at CMA. Photo provided by Central Music cademy.

“The band students playing the grant of instruments provided by Vh1 Save the Music continuously go above and beyond what is expected of them.” - Band Directors, Del Rio, Texas

Along with providing students a quality music education, CMA instills important values and beliefs in students. Many students are required to participate in several outreach events each year to give back to the community that supports them.

Unlike Central Music Academy Vh1’s save the music organization focuses specifically on providing musical instruments and funding for suffering musical programs. They have successfully impacted 1,900 public schools in over 231 districts nationwide. 2.3 million students have directly benefitted from this extraordinary charity.

The goal of this organization is to help build sustainable music programs by providing thirty thousand dollars worth of grants of brand new musical instruments to public elementary and middle schools. They seek to provide every child across the country access to a musical instrument of their own. Vh1’s organization has even impacted several schools districts in Kentucky by providing instruments, those being Jefferson and Letcher county public schools.

Vh1’s organization (like CMA) is a non-profit organization, that operates solely on donations and funding from people like you. Funding is a major part of any organization especially musical groups (band, choir, and orchestra.)

Vh1’s organization puts on many events to raise funds to provide for these children. These events include charitable performances, service activities, and even silent auctions.

Even celebrities emphasize the importance of music by becoming an “ambassador” of Vh1. These celebrities include, Hunter Hayes, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and Katy Perry.

The gratitude of these students is expressed to Vh1 through countless letters, and thank you notes. Vh1 save the music and CMA alike provide unparallelled opportunities to countless students. Many of these students without the support of Vh1, CMA, and frankly music itself would not be able to utilize their God given talents.

So why all the fuss about music education? Well children that study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills due to having to sight read and learn music. It has also been proven that younger children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year compared to children who did not participate in music lessons. A Stanford study also shows that music engages areas of the brain which are involved with concentration, making predictions, and updating events in our memory.

Other tests prove that music education nourishes the process of learning. It promotes sensory intergration and attention span (something younger children desperately need.) The impact is not only superficial, it has also been proven that music education can builds and strenghthens connections between brain cells themselves. It also engages both sides of the brain, that being left and right.

Music education benefits everyone in more ways than one, often improving academics, so why are they constantly in danger of being cut? Perhaps the school does not want to help fund the program, maybe administrators feel that music education is outdated, or maybe the just want students to focus on testing.

To quote one more statistic, schools with sucessful music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate, and a 93.9% attendance rate, however schools

that do not support a music program have a respectively lower 72.9% graduation rate, and an average attendance rate of 84.9%. That is a noticeable difference, administrators take notice!

The number of people opposed to music education, is outweighed by the number of people who advocate it. Many do agree that music education benefits all aspects of a students personal and academic life. This is shown to us through a number of. a students personal and academic life. This is shown to us through a number of letters and thank you notes written to Vh1 thanking them for all that they have provided for their students.

On an academic note one letter from Texas band directors reads: “the band students playing the grant of instruments provided by Vh1 Save the Music Foundation continuously go above and beyond what is expected of them. Many of these students are also doing extremely well in all of their classes. We as band directors, believe this to be nothing more than a direct correlation between involvement in band and academic success.”

Another from a music teacher in Philadelphia reads: “there has been marked improvement in the students academic, behavioral, and disciplinary progress for those who have taken part in the instrumental music program donated by Vh1 Save the Music Foundation.

With that said, the improvements in the school climate since the grant was given is remarkably more positive.

This, in turn, positively benefits each student enrolled in the school.”

The gift of music has so greatly impacted these childrens lives that their whole demeanor is changed.

Many people underestimate the power of music to change lives. On a more personal note, kids are seeing changes in their personal life. This is shown to us through a letter written to Vh1 by a music teacher from olympic high school in Santa Monica California.

The letter reads: “one of my students Franklin is an amazingly talented guitarist! He graduated last year and is now helping me teach here. He was battling depression, struggling with substance abuse, getting into trouble with the law and dealing with the absence of a father who is currently serving a prison sentence in Mississippi. Yet with music in his life, he was able to completely turn his life around and I owe this to the grant of instruments given by Vh1 Save the Music Foundation. Thank you.”

Music has the power to completely change lives, as seen through countless other letters. This is what

CMA, and Vh1 work to do. They work to change children’s lives one music note, and one instrument at a time.

“CMA instills important values and beliefs in students.”

Vh1 Save the Music Foundation Logo. logo provided by Vh1.

Sources: Vh1savethemusic.org Centralmusicacademy.org Dosomething.org

Did You Know?

Amazing Facts about Music.

The brain waves of two musicians synchronize when performing a Singing exercises your heart, lungs and releases endorphins making you feel good.

20% of kids learn to play music 70% of adults wish they had.

Playing music regularly will physically alter your brain structure.

74% of 16-24 year olds say music is a very important part of their lives.

The Central Music Academy is a non-profit organization that exists to provide quality musical education for finacially disadvantaged children in Lexington, Kentucky. The Academy has partnered with the community and other local arts organizations to musically educate every child regardless of experience or finacial eligiblilty.

A young musician participates in private lessons at CMA. Photo provided by Central Music Academy