Hello World!

I love meeting people who are passionate about their craft. Whether it be biology, fashion or physics, a healthy dose of genuine enthusiasm gives life more meaning. I am a musician and I've met hundreds of students who are passionate about music, who have inspired me to write this blog. These students are instrumentalists, orchestral musicians, choral singers and wind players. They all speak, read and express the same language--a language that helps them have a voice, a wish for change and a seek for peace.

Unfortunately, in the US, classical music is considered a "dying art"--literally. Patrons of professional symphonies and chorales are growing old, and music of MTV is taking over the tastes of younger generations. This is not to discount the validity of pop music, but the values that are taught through the rehearsal and performance of classical music is being lost, bringing me to the culmination of the topic of my blog.

Like the professional music world, music education in the US is dwindling. The No Child Left Behind Act led many school districts to cut funding to their music programs. Of course there always exists the argument: better test scores and more motivated students are results of school music programs. (I can elaborate on exact statistics later).

Still, I can't finish this blog without mentioning my first example of change:

Recently, an example has been made of the Jose Abreu's El Sistema in Venezuela--a program that consists of 125 youth orchestras and training programs throughout the country that has absolutely changed the nation. Much of the students of this program have formerly been involved in gangs, crime or originate from extremely impoverished areas. The El Sistema has produced hundreds of professional musicians since it's conception in the 1970s, including conducting prodigy Gustavo Dudamel--the newly appointed conductor of the LA Philharmonic.

Is it coincidence? That the product of the most notable music program in the world is coming to Los Angeles--home of a school district that projects a complete cut of all of its public school music programs within the next ten years. I hope not.

In this blog, I hope to discuss the happenings within the Los Angeles area in regards to the promotion of the professional arts as well as education. I also hope to address the actions of different music education organizations such as the MENC (National association for music educators), the Music For All Foundation and others. I also hope to share my own personal stories of how the music I encounter as a student changes and inspires passion in my life.

Many blogs on this subject are written by large organizations of seasoned music educators. (People I might affectionately call "old, white men"). I've grown up in a musical environment, and am currently studying to earn my Bachelors of Music in Oboe Performance. In my experience, music teachers have the power to transform a music piece as well as the musicians playing it. My ramblings of passion, inspiration, teamwork and dedication might seem farfetched, but I hope to somehow portray how I came to be such a zealous advocate through the entries in this blog. I am so excited to share my thoughts about the importance of this beautiful art with the world!