For most students in America, music is ranked first among subjects liked, and receives high rankings in the areas of importance and difficulty. Music programs challenge students to self-express their creativity, and enrich the mind to explore performing, consuming and composing aspects of music. School board members and parents might argue that, “music education is an extra curricular activity.” I argue that music education programs should be part of everyday classes across the country.

Music is a source of enjoyment, and encourages team work and cohesiveness. It provides success for some students who have difficulty with other aspects of the school curriculum. Most importantly, music can enlighten the day, and make a student spring out of his or her seat, like a fireworks show sprouting across a pale blue night sky. This leaves the student wanting to learn more throughout the day.

Giving an instrument to a student is the same as giving one a book. They both require different levels of thinking and administrate high outcomes. The more a person reads will result in better comprehension in writing and public speaking. If a student plays an instrument, it will result in higher levels of thinking. For example, it is a way to understand our culture heritage as well as other past and present cultures.

Where did the instrument come from? How is the instrument made? Who are some famous musicians who play your instrument? There are so many questions that arise by just looking at a particular instrument. A student is likely to find out the answers if enrolled in an everyday music program.

Another reason why is that it can be very therapeutic to a student who doesn’t excel in other subjects. I can first- handedly say that I did not achieve in school until I put an instrument in my hands.

Around the time I was in middle school, I woke up every morning dreading to go to school. I was a complete mess! My clothes were practically rotting on my sullied body.

I took showers about every two weeks, reeking as if had leaped into a sewage tank filled with skunks, spraying me as I moved. And to top it off, my hair was as fierce as a lion’s mane, wild and bizarre and unattractive to anyone who crossed my path. It wasn’t very appealing to anyone, especially for a twelve-year-old. I hated myself and everyone in the vicinity of me; until one day everything changed instantly.

A tall, lanky, bearded man who went by the name of “Dr. Kilburn” crossed my path in the thin hallways of our little school. He asked me if I had ever been interested in playing a musical instrument. I thought to myself for a minute, and finally murmured in a monotone voice, “Sure . . . I guess.”

He glared at me with a blank look on his face, and finally I joined the jazz club. He offered to give me private lessons to catch up with the rest of the class, and from then on my life changed.

Throughout the rest of the year I cleaned up a bit. My hair was trimmed to a more conservative length. The clothes on my back weren’t fading away, and I didn’t smell like a skunk rolling around in a sewage tank anymore. It was all because of one man getting me involved with music.

So from the time I was a confused twelve-year-old rebel, up till now, music has been my influence to stay in school and achieve my goals. Overtime, I became an honor student, class president of my graduating class, and a respectful human being to my peers.

It amazes me how one object can change a persons life. A movie that I recommend watching is Mr. Holland’s Opus. It is a movie about a music educator, played by Richard Dreyfuss, who challenges students through music. His students turn out to be successful in life. Almost forty years have passed, and the school board decides to cut back certain programs, music being one of them. As the movie ends, Dreyfuss realizes how much impact he had on his student’s lives. Even though the music program was cut, he influenced an entire school that any thing is possible.

In conclusion, without music in education buildings across America, it is inflexible to give creativity to a young or even old student. Music programs express one's individuality and reward satisfaction. Whether you are an intelligent person, or a confused young man, anything is possible, especially through the power of music.