The Gift Of Music

The Gift of Music

Music is a gift to the world. It bridges language barriers and oceans. It enables everyone to speak with one tongue, allowing anyone to speak to everyone. However, the sound of music is becoming quieter in our elementary, middle, and high schools across the nation. This mistake made by many school districts denies children the gifts of communication, expression, and especially the gift of success.

Based on my experience with music, I know these gifts exist. Because I was given the gift of music at an early age, I have grown to understand its value and use it to communicate and to express myself. When I retreat to music, I color the notes I play: dark to express anger, sadness, or resentment; light, to portray happiness or hope; soft or loud to convey the intensity of my feelings. My experience has taught me that, if given music, many children will eventually make sense not simply of the notes they play but what they may mean universally.

Music, of course, is more than expression and communication. It also gives its practitioners the ability to succeed. Music gave me the imperatives of determination, patience and discipline that build strong character. With everything I accomplish, whether the task is to do well on a test, solve a math problem, or finish the last lap in a race, I know that it is music that enables me to succeed. Music demands practice, repetition, order and interpretation. These skills have brought me success in school and in life.

Music is my escape, my method, my way of living. It is an outlet in which I can always confide. If the music bridges begin to become less prevalent, and eventually disappear, children will be denied one of the most important gifts the world has given me.

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