Sounds of Success The first thing you notice when you walk into the Mountain View High School music room are the people. Gathered in small groups, either studying or chatting, the students in the music program seem comfortable and safe. More students walk in during lunchtime, simply looking for someone to chat with. There is always at least one person in the sound-proof practice rooms prepping for this audition or that performance. All of the students know that the minute they walk through the double doors of the instrumental music room, they are home. Many taxpayers and administrators don’t believe that their money is being well spent if it goes to paying for a new
music program at their local high school. They might argue that the students don’t need to know how to play the saxophone to be successful and get a job. However, many students and teachers truly believe that these programs are bigger than just learning how to sing or play the tuba. They claim that they provide a valuable community for many students, and they teach kids how to think creatively and strengthen their brains – honing important skills for for their future. Music programs are necessary today because they provide a safe haven and a way to cope in an increasingly stressful and negative world. High school music programs may be expensive for the administration, but the
benefits of community, learning new ways to think, and a healthier mind make them integral in every high school. “I think my favorite part is probably the community,” says Grey Krauss, a junior at Mountain View High School. Krauss, who currently plays percussion and bassoon, is involved with multiple ensembles in the music program on campus.. Reflecting on the culture of the program, he explains, “marching band specifically is very welcoming… because you don’t really need experience to join, so you can kind of just join and then… just have fun and stuff.” Krauss talks about how some students are more welcoming than others, but