Majestic. Band. Things.

(Content Warning: Post contains a VERY strong bias. I'm not sorry.)

Here is a hill I am willing to die on any day of the week. . . . kids need to be involved music. My bias is for band but. . . any music will do. Now, I know a lot of folks out there might think, "What about sports? Sports are important." and I'm not saying that sports aren't valuable and cool (sometimes) but I truly, 100% believe that what kids learn through music sticks with them for longer than almost anything else and, if a kid is going to do sports, music should be the mandatory counterbalance. Maybe that's because it's been true for me so I'm projecting that experience as "truth." Maybe it's because the making of music is universally accessible if one is willing to put forth some effort? I don't know. But I do know that I'm convinced it's super important.

A while back, some gal posted a TikTok (which I will NOT link because that foolishness doesn't need any more "airtime") where she pretends to smack her kid with a kitchen utensil because they want to be in band instead of sports. UGH. Needless to say, the music community clapped back pretty hard. But. . . here's the thing. . . why would anyone make their kids CHOOSE?!?! They can do both!! We've all seen videos and photos of football players joining the marching band on the field so it's not like having music in your child's life is impossible if they are also into sports.

There are some other benefits to being involved in music that folks sometimes don't think about.

1. Music kids tend to be very inclusive of everyone. There is a place for all.

2. Rehearsing music builds the capacity for memory in people. Our kids are losing that. They need it.

3. Kids who participate in music programs (at any level of education) have a pre-built community. This is great for those transition years. It's especially beneficial for college students who often attend schools where they don't know anyone. In band? Ta-DA!!!!! Instant friend group.

4. I'm just going to say it. . . as a teacher. . . my experience has been that most music students are more on top of their studies than kids who do other things or do nothing. I don't have empirical evidence for this--and I'm not saying it's ALL music students; it's just been my general observation over the past 24 years.

5. Opportunity: Kids in music programs get to do a lot of really neat things that other kids just don't. Trips to places some would never get to otherwise (Disney, Boston, New York), seeing A LOT of free sports and getting to see events that are HARD to get to (Lambeau field, The Rose Bowl, Championships. . . )

6. Ongoing connections: This is especially true if a musician participates at the college level. They meet people who may connect them with opportunities later in life. There's also that fun moment when you meet someone who did the same thing you did--be that at the same time or before/after your time.