One response to “Burlingame High School Play-a-thon”

1. Joanne

   October 27, 2007

   From Jon Mays Opinion Column – SMDailyJournal.com – Friday Oct 26

   The adage Music soothes the savage beast? holds true but it may not pay the bills. With arts and music funding facing constant budget cuts, individual programs have to be ever creative in getting money to keep going. And what better way to do it but present a craft to the masses?

   It is just that logic behind the Burlingame High School Play-a-Thon to be held this Saturday at the Burlingame Train Station from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since 1990, the Burlingame High School Band has used the Play-a-Thon to not only entertain the city but raise important money to keep the well-organized and successful program going. Last year, the Play-a-Thon raised $14,070 in a time in which the San Mateo Union High School District cut funding for the choir accompanist. This year, the goal is a modest $10,000 which would help pay for the accompanist (someone who plays piano for the choir).

   But with so many students striving for college acceptance letters, one might ask what exactly is the importance of music education? Isn’t is just filler? A diversion?

   Well, no. Music education is important in several different ways. For one, it teaches problem-solving skills. For wind instruments, a player has to understand there are so many notes that can come with a certain amount of air. There is tricky fingering with guitar playing. There is an emphasis on each individual note and its place within others and a progression into a larger piece. Through that progression of notes, musicians can see that the smallest details are critical when placed in a larger context of the entire song. Musicians soon learn that while knowledge of 80 percent of a test might yield a B grade, knowledge of 80 percent of a song yields disaster and embarassment. What better lesson could there be but to teach perfection as a goal? Music teaches both creativity and discipline.

   It also teaches teamwork and critical thinking. Participating in a band allows students to understand firsthand how their contribution matches those of others. Understanding the syntax of music allows students to open new creative avenues of thought that can help with careers as diverse as computer programming, biology, politics and even journalism.

   It provides a certain amount of instant gratification and confidence through performance in addition to opportunities for exposure to different cultures through travel and learning new songs.

   But most importantly, music education allows students an avenue to connect with others on a deeper level. Through music you can express fundamental emotion without speaking. That expression also forces others to listen and think and enjoy.

   So this weekend, take some time to appreciate the fine work of a group of young people participating in a deep expression of emotions, thoughts and skill.

   And just think, every year, 90 band members and 50 choir members always seem to fit in the space in front of the train station. That’s 140 people. Kinda makes you think maybe there really is no need for a Centennial? Plaza to replace the parking lot since plenty of people can fit in the space already there. Sorry to keep banging that drum, but I’m hoping it might be music to some ears.

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   Thanks for the plug, Jon.