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South Carolina Band Directors Association

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"Band Counts!"

"WHY BAND?"
At a time when school districts across our nation are facing growing needs and tighter budgets, some people question the need for the so-called "extras." We keep hearing politicians speak of the need to "get back to the basics." The arts are not extras. They are vital to a thriving, educated society. Consider the following:

Supporting Research and Statistics

• The words of Plato are still true today: "I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys to learning."
• A University of California (Irvine) study showed that after eight months of keyboard lessons, preschoolers showed a 46% boost in their spatial reasoning IQ.
• The College Board identifies the arts as one of the six basic academic subject areas students should study in order to succeed in college.
• Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. Only 44% of biochemistry majors were admitted.
• A study of 811 high school students indicated that the proportion of minority students with a music teacher role-model was significantly larger than for any other discipline. 36% of these students identified music teachers as their role-models, as opposed to 28% English teachers, 11% elementary teachers, 7% physical education/sports teachers, 1% principals.
• The very best engineers and technical designers in the Silicon Valley industry are, nearly without exception, practicing musicians.
• The arts create jobs, increase the local tax base, boost tourism, spur growth in related businesses (hotels, restaurants, printing, etc.) and improve the overall quality of life for our cities and towns. On a national level, nonprofit arts institutions and organizations generate an estimated $37 billion in economic activity and return $3.4 billion in federal income taxes to the US Treasury each year.
• Without the arts, education is not education but vocational training. Practicing one's profession successfully calls for skills in dealing with people, for being able to comprehend the connection between cause and effect, and for the ability to carry the burdens placed on the individual in a free society. The arts help to prepare the human mind for such needs.
• Current research confirms the study of music is one of the most effective tools to improve learning throughout a child’s academic curriculum.
• There is a direct correlation between improved SAT scores and the length of time spent studying the arts. Those who studied the arts four or more years scored 59 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math portions of the SAT than students with no course work or experience in the arts.
• The correlation between cognitive learning and musical understanding continues to prove they are linked, and improving one will develop the other. In fact, music is suspected to be the key to unlocking the scientific mind.
• National testing demonstrates scores rise proportionately higher with the length of time spent studying music in school.
• A 1994 Gallup survey indicates over 97% of Americans feel playing a musical instrument provides students with a sense of accomplishment. Ninety-three percent of Americans feel music is part of a well rounded education.
• When deciding where to locate, many industries consider cultural activity.

We’ve heard all the jargon, and we all approve of the statistical evidence being put before the public that supports our programs. Statistics can be wonderful, but it’s time for us to put the faces with the numbers. We know that being in the band will make you a better person. Now let’s show it! Let’s find those people that have benefited from our band programs and have them tell their stories!

Examples:

• Rep. Becky Meacham, member of the SC House of Representatives from Fort Mill, has a Bill before the House to allow participation in Marching Band to count as the required PE Credit necessary to receive a high school diploma. Becky supports band because she saw the benefits it had for her children.
• I e-mailed Rep. Terry Haskins, Speaker Pro Tempore of the SC House of Representatives, asking for his support for Becky’s bill and received the following response: "As a former high school marching band member (Trombone) I certainly agree with everything you wrote. I'll ask to add my name to Becky's bill."
• During a casual conversation at a USC football game with Jerry Fowler, Real Estate Services Director and Columbia Radio Host, he revealed that playing trombone in high school and college made a significant difference in his life.

These people are "Our Statistics!" They are the product we produce! They are the good people and community leaders that benefit from a band experience! Being in the BAND is important! "Band Counts!"

The Public Relations Committee will unveil the "Band Counts!" campaign on Saturday, February 14, 1998. This project is designed to identify EVERY former band member in South Carolina. We plan to create a statewide data base that will allow us to better evaluate the impact we have on the communities we serve.

• A statewide survey will be conducted by the members of the SCBDA and over the SC Band Link to gather the information necessary to create the database. Former students will be able to enter and send the survey electronically or they may fill out a hard copy version and return it to either the local Band Director or mail to Jerry Gatch. (The information on the hard copy forms can be typed into the SC Band Link database from anywhere with Internet access.)
• All information will be forwarded to the school(s) where the person participated in band and this information may be used by the school’s Alumni Association.
• Former band students will be able to access the database through the SC Band Link where they will be able to "FIND" the e-mail addresses of their long lost "Band Family."
• The Public Relations Committee and the Chernoff/Silver Public Relations Firm will select outstanding individuals for use in a statewide media campaign.

We will finally be able to put the testimony of real people in front of the public to show the value of Music Education. "Band Counts!"

Let’s "BAND" together! We do make a difference because "Music Is Instrumental To Success!"

Glenn C. Price, President
South Carolina Band Directors Association