Music. It is everywhere. From the
morning commute, to eating lunch in the cafeteria, to personal devices at home,
music infiltrates a person’s life every day. It seems so commonplace
that people have seem to forgotten its importance in society and it shows with
recent cuts of music programs on all levels of education throughout the
country.
For the past two years, schools
have been looking to cut costs and have been placing the burden onto their
music programs. In 2011, the Jordan-Elbridge High School located in Jordan, NY
faced a 41 percent cut in the band budget reducing it from $59,000 to $24,000.
According to ABC News, the athletic program also took a cut, but at 28 percent
instead. However, the athletic program started at $500,000 instead of $59,000.
Not only are high schools and
middle schools dealing with cuts in music programs, but colleges are as well.
The University of West Georgia decided to cancel music classes due to the
budget cuts. A college located on the west coast, Orange Coast College, cut
courses such as guitar and piano classes and jazz ensemble to help manage
costs.
According to U.S. News, Mark
Camphouse, interim chair of George Mason University’s music department claims, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more
troubling situation” for college music students across the country.
Students, parents, and teachers
alike have growing concerns with the lack of arts available in an educational
setting. Not only are the cuts taking away an outlet for students to express
themselves, it is taking away a valuable resource for students to expand their
learning and achievement capabilities.
Many studies have been conducted to
see how music programs affect students. In a study by James Catteral entitled
“Doing Well and Doing Good by Doing Art,” he explored the relationship between
arts involvement and academic achievement. Catterall found after 12 years of
research that “students who were highly involved with the arts outperformed
their less involved peers.”
In another study conducted in 2009,
the Psychology of Music Journal
published a study which gave similar results.
An excerpt from the article reveals that “ children to a multi-year
programme of music tuition…display superior cognitive performance in reading
skills compared with their non-musically trained peers.”
Music programs also show an impact
on a student’s mathematical capabilities. A study conducted by UCLA Graduate
School of Education and Information Studies in 1999 shows a correlation between
involvement in music and proficiency in math. Maintaining a level of music
study or performance at all levels of education is considered important among
many for these beneficial reasons.
St. Thomas Aquinas College maintains
a few courses in the field of music study. Such classes as guitar performance,
music fundamentals, and development of jazz are offered to students who wish to
be more immersed in music. While STAC does not offer any major dealing with
music, there is a Performing Arts Minor.
There are music courses scattered
throughout the curriculum at STAC; however, there was not many opportunities
for students to perform various types of music at least until a few years ago. It
was three years ago that the STAC Houseband was created changing the musical
dynamic at the college.
The House Band allows for students
as well as faculty and alumni to play and sing a wide arrangement of rock, pop,
and alternative songs. Kathleen Roepken, a “founder,” a vocalist, and the
outgoing president of the organization shared on how the House Band has been flourishing
since its creation.
Kathleen, or Katie as she prefers,
had a lot of support from the faculty with the creation of House Band. Dr.
Craig Martin a professor as well as a guitarist in the band, was extremely
helpful in the process of forming House Band according to Katie.
Dr. Martin supports the band
because of his belief that “musicians should be creating and performing when
possible.” He finds that performing live on stage enriches a musicians
experience and gives students “unforgettable memories.”
A musical organization such as
House Band gives student musicians a sense of belonging according to Dr. Martin.
He also thinks that being in the House Band can help students improve their
playing skills.
“We pretty much only play covers,
and that's a really good way for musicians to develop their skills,” said Dr.
Martin, “When you play a cover, you almost always have to learn something
new---a new lick, a new technique, or something new about your own equipment or
instrument. Performing more and more new covers constantly pushes musicians to
develop their abilities.”
Dr. Martin is not the only member
of the faculty who is involved with House Band. Another professor, Dr. Robert
Trawick, plays guitar with the band as well. Faculty also helped in other ways
according to Katie.
“We also got a lot of help from Dr.
Matthews who helped us begin this by singing at the Faculty Holiday Party in
the fall semester,” said Katie, “We have also gotten a lot of support from the
President of the college, she comes to our shows and loves watching us perform!”
Currently, the House Band performs
two shows throughout the year. One takes place during the fall semester and the
other occurs during the spring semester. House Band also participates in other
such events on campus as Open Mic Night. However, Katie hopes that the group
can expand to do more shows.
“I would love to see more shows
done, however time does not usually allow for more than one a semester.”
Katie thinks that another way the
group can grow in other ways as well. Playing an outside show is something that
Katie looks “forward to for the remaining band members.”
Many students have had a positive
reaction to being able to participate with the House Band on campus. Kaitlin
Blumberg, a sophomore, joined the House Band this year after open auditions
were held to find vocal talent.
“House Band is extremely beneficial
to my experience at STAC,” said Kaitlin, “I love singing, and House Band has
provided me with the opportunity to perform with an extremely talented group of
people.”
Kaitlin also commented on how
important music is in her life and how the absent of it would really affect
her.
“I truly believe that it keeps me
sane. It allows me to express myself in ways that I couldn't through other
mediums. …,” said Kaitlin, “Without the soaring melodies, intriguing harmonies,
and enchanting rhythms of music, I feel that I would be a lesser version of
myself.”
Anthony Capuano, one of the group’s
bassist, has been with the House Band since its formulation. He also finds the
House Band to be extremely beneficial resource on campus.
“My whole week is filled with
papers, and assignments and responsibilities,” said Anthony, “But for four hours
a week I can escape from all of that because of the STAC House Band.”
Anthony also talked about how the
House Band contributes to the school in other ways besides being a musical
outlet for students on campus.
“I believe that the House Band has
created a strong sense of school spirit. It is something that student (or the
fans) can support and cheer for.”
And the fans certainly do support
the House Band. Many students come out to watch the two shows and cheer on
their student performers. An attendee of the most recent House Band concert,
sophomore Kristine Falkowski, found the show to be entertaining.
“The concert was a lot of fun,”
said Kristine, “The song choices were electric and interesting!”
The House Band is not the only
organization on the STAC campus that provides students with musical
entertainment or an outlet to hone their musical capabilities. Other such
organizations include STAC Singers and the chance to audition for the Spring
Musical presented by Laetare Players.
Since STAC has the unique House
Band, it provides student musicians with more of an opportunity to perform a
genre of music not ordinarily available to them. This is just one way college students are keeping music alive throughout education.
