wsma board perspective
Raised on Music for Body, Mind and Soul James Egan, WSMA Board Member
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It has been my good fortune to serve on the WSMA Board of Directors for almost nine years. During that time I have seen WSMA deal with issues similar to what the local school districts have dealt with regarding increasing expenditures and decreasing revenues. WSMA is fortunate to have many excellent board and staff members who have a clear vision of how important music and the other arts are in the school curriculum. The WSMA Board members work together to meet the vi- sion and goals of the organization and to measure the success of the organization in meeting these goals. Through collabora- tion the board and staff listen to differ- ences of opinions, respect differences and agree to speak as one voice to the educational community. I can honestly say that WSMA always weighs decisions as to what will be the most positive outcome for the member schools and the children in those schools.
The theme for the October 2013 Wiscon- sin State Music Conference is “Music for Body, Mind and Soul.” It is at the heart of why music is so important in Wisconsin schools. Of course, all schools
wish for their students to graduate with a well-rounded education and exposure to extracurricular activities. I like to think of this year’s theme in the following context: “The Body” is the physical presence of students in the school’s music program. This gives the students the opportunity to participate in classroom music instruction and to be part of the choir, band and other music offerings. Through participation in the various music groups the student’s self-image and feeling of acceptance are enhanced. “The Mind” is the research proven effect that musical instruction and participation has on the student’s ability to learn. Research has shown that students who received early music instruction, even before they entered school, are more con- crete thinkers and able to come into school ahead of their non-music instruction peers. Children that learned to play the piano, sing in a choir or play a simple instrument at an early age were a “step ahead of other children” when entering grade school. “The Soul” refers to the gift of music that is imprinted on that student’s brain for the rest of their life. How envious we are of the person who carries their passion for music into their adult years. When we see
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www.WSMmagazine.org 8 September 2013
“Through participation in the various music groups the student’s self-image and feeling of acceptance are enhanced.”
a person into the later years of their life still able to sit down at a piano and play a Broadway tune or play in a community band or sing in their church choir, we re- alize what a profound effect that person’s early musical training has had on them. Even so much as the ability to enjoy a concert or musical performance makes a life worth living.
Recently, I purchased a brick at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education in honor of my three daughters. The in- scription I had placed on the brick reads, “Raised on Music.” I think that perfectly incorporates this month’s theme, “Music for Body, Mind and Soul.” I can see the profound effect music has had on their lives from the time they sat next to their grandmother as she taught them where to place their fingers on the piano keys, through days in school band and choir, to times they now participate as adults in organizations and community musical activities. This helps to reinforce my role as a WSMA Board member the reason that my duty and the duty of all of our board members is to keep music education strong and viable in all Wisconsin schools and to provide each and every student the opportunity to be “raised on music.”
James Egan is district administrator for Southwestern Wisconsin School District and a member of the WSMA Board of Directors. Email:
eganj@swsd.k12.wi.us
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