Prioritize it Russia
Re “Music education” (Your Views, April 12): The letter writer makes a good point about music’s power to evoke emotions. There’s many other important results of music in our schools.
Music study makes students better in math and reading. Those are well-known results of music instruction, being reinforced by numerous studies throughout the years. There are many more. For example, being part of a band, chorus or orchestra teaches students the importance of working together toward a common goal, how each student’s contribution to this goal is important, and the importance of concerted and ongoing effort toward self-improvement. These are skills that many employers look for. Where else are these skills taught?
One must not overlook the sense of aesthetics that comes from music study in our schools. It involves emotion and sensation as opposed to plain intellectuality. In a world that is increasingly constrained by computer models and diagrams, a larger sense of aesthetics allows one to perceive more than just the rudimentary basics of a situation or endeavor that can lead to more and varied approaches and solutions.
Music study improves math and reading skills, improves one’s ability to work with others, and points the way to a larger understanding of the world. We should afford all students the opportunity to experience music study. Sadly, some school districts are limiting these experiences. What a shame to be shortsighted.
— Steven Ambrose, Virginia Beach
Would someone please explain to me how denying Ukraine the support it needs to repel Russian aggression is to the benefit of the Republican Party? Russia is not our friend. We are allowing Russia to regroup for an attack that will be devastating to Ukraine. The death of these democratic patriots will be on our hands.
Russia will be encouraged to attack NATO countries; China will see little resistance in invading Taiwan. Autocrats throughout the world will challenge our resolve. Do we dislike each other so much that we cannot do what is in the best interest of our country and our allies?
—Roy M. Ferguson, Virginia Beach