Cutting Music In Schools

“Music can change the world because it can change people, (Bono)” The inevitable truth is music has a way of impacting the lives of those who hear it. However, another undeniable fact is that music programs are constantly on the chopping block whenever education budgets are lowered. The question that is constantly asked is, “why”. No one has ever said, “Music is pointless, getting rid of it would be best,” in fact finding an article speaking out in favor of cutting music programs is an impossibility. The answer is simple, all that seemingly matters in modern schools is sports and the scores earned on standardized testing, so that is where the budget is spent. However, cutting music programs has negative effects on music educators, current

In every medium, sport teams are shown at the highest level of human bonding and team spirit. In an article by Chloe Mapes she states, “Being involved in athletics gives an individual a sense of belonging because of the fact that the team may need every member to function at its peak.” And while this is undoubtedly true, it in no way makes athletic programs more important than their musical counterparts. However, when budget cuts arrive students are told that sports money over music which may, or may or may not be true. On average sports coaches in Missouri make from $25,845 to $38,767 annually while music administrators make from $36,264 to $54,397 annually (sports genius). Seeing as music teachers deal with more students than sports coaches this is understandable. However although the music may receive more funds in the department of administration the budgets for each activity are actually taken from an overall budget for high school activities outside of the classroom. In a report by OSAA, in the Midwest only 1-3% of a school’s budget is sent to music, athletics, or clubs in general. From there the programs are on their own. For instance, in Lincoln County, Missouri, there is a pay-to-play rule where student athletes and musicians must pay a fee of some sort in order to participate. For basic things like football or band the fee was only around $50, while activities such as

Ultimately, unless something drastic occurs eventually the arts will be cut permanently from schools. In fact, in Hazelwood, Missouri they have already cut music and art from at the elementary level (Bock). At the rate things are going it is only a matter of time before the arts are cut at all levels all across the board. Once that happens school will become a less wonderful place to be, and considering the lackadaisical attitude most students already possess that does not bode well for the dropout rate. According to an article by PBS entitled: “The Consequences of Curtailing Music Education”, if music programs are cut across Country in a permanent fashion, the gap between high-income and low-income children will grow. This is due to the fact in high-income households parents can afford to pay for their children to receive a musical education while low-income households cannot. The article also stated that music has been linked to academic success, which leads to the conclusion that if one class is getting yet another advantage, no matter how miniscule, gaps will appear in a multitude of other areas in