I forwarded the story to my husband, phatbeetle, and he said that he wasn't surprised.
He said that music lessons in his school (back in the 70's & 80's) were an hour twice a week and they did "music appreciation" so no actual musical instrument instruction, never mind reading music. The kids he knew who could play music got private lessons in their own time and at their own expense. I asked my SIL yesterday if her children, who are currently in school, if they have musical instruction and she said it was two hours a week of "appreciation". Her kids said it was a very boring class and have no interest in continuing it. It's no wonder that they don't see it as a loss.
My kids in here in Texas have been learning instruments since fifth grade and they continued it all the way through to twelfth grade. They have had practical music instruction daily in class and in high school, they practice after school for a minimum of two hours daily (including some Saturdays) during marching band season and tutorials during concert band season. They also have summer band where they practice from 7am-5pm, Monday through Friday, for the four weeks leading to the start of the new school year. They have to learn their marching program and get used to the high heat and humidity of Houston and be ready for football. It's a commitment and a true labor of love.
The music program here has done wonders for our kids but it takes more than an hour twice a week to foster an interest. It's a shame.
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