This short film follows an elementary school music teacher in New York, demonstrating the tremendous role music programs can play for young children.
The five-minute documentary follows Peter Mancini as he prepares a group of 9- and 10-year-old students for a spring concert in front of their friends and families. He eloquently sums up the benefits of music programs in school, noting that his aim is to help the kids improve their lives through music and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
We see the young musicians learning Händel, as Mancini expresses his wonder that a piece written in 1740 is creating such enthusiasm among his students.
Some of the students also talk about how music impacts their daily lives. It’s particularly inspiring to hear them explain how music makes them happy and enables them to relax when things get tough.
All in all, a powerful argument in favor of doing all we can to promote music education programs for children.
I think we all agree that music education is important, and Peter Mancini seems to be doing an excellent job. However, we must always hold foremost in our minds a commitment to GOOD music education. In the US we have had a watered down curriculum for too long, although thankfully there are signs that that is changing. When I taught music appreciation in an American high school, the textbook I was handed, which was written by a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, failed to mention Johannes Brahms. The author shrugged off the omission. Marching bands and show choirs are fine, but we need to make sure that orchestral and vocal repertoire are also studied and performed. Chamber music, music history and music theory should also be emphasized. To an extent, curricula are improving, but, wherever we live, it is always important to be vigilant about where and how education funds are being spent. In the US we were asleep too long.