column notes on music and horizons

The North Alton business Association has sponsored a summer music series for some time now. It offers a varied program of musical styles. On Wednesday, the 16^th, a group of St Louis symphony musicians graced the stage at Alton High School to offer a program on woodwinds. It was a debate evening for the Republican contenders, and the Cardinals are in the midst of a race in the best division in baseball, so the crowd was a bit smaller than one would hope.

As I gazed on the crowd, I saw very few children. My more tyrannical side wondered why this was not required for entire classes, or students involved in music class in school or those taking private lessons. The obstacles we complain about the arts were not present. It was free and early enough for even young students. Let me repeat. A group of St Louis Symphony musicians, world class talents, were in town for free; they offered the gift of their artistry to the community, and it was met with indifference. It offered small selections of different music from more modern offerings of the 20^th century to the classical staples of Bach, Hayden, and Mozart. They even introduced their instruments and talked about the sound they sought to produce. Going over the heads of the uninitiated would not be an issue in this performance. At least, no one yelled for them to play “Free Bird.”

One of educations benefits is the expanding of horizons. No generations in history are so aware of the global realities of human life. No generations in history have access to the triumphs and tragedies of human life.  Our response has been to hunch over a tiny phone screen and type with our thumbs in a burst of mental phlegm. We seem to choose a small world in reaction to the vast array of choices and competing events at our beck and call. I do understand the enormous financial stress of the public schools, but part of their noble promise is to provide a gateway for everyone to see a broader world. President Clinton knew of deprivation, and that is why he responded so fulsomely to the potential leveling effect of the internet for all children.

We fail our children, and we fail ourselves, not to get exposure to some of the wonders of our world. Who knows? Such exposure could be the vehicle to vocation. Stephen Jay Gould, the eminent scientist, found his calling in a visit to a museum when he was five years old. Back where I grew up, our high school in Uniontown, Pa, in the old coal, coke, steel region, has a Hall of Fame. They inducted a woman Margaret Emelson, along wit the expected coterie of athletes. . “Mrs. E” was determined to offer classes in speech, drama, and the humanities in the tough working class area. I can think of no place where the gospel of utility was stronger, a place where hard work was the ultimate virtue, so the arts were considered useless as they did not contribute to something practical. Along with so many other teachers, she used her vocation to help students see a world beyond or beneath the merely practical. Now in retirement, she continues to demonstrate a set of broad interests in the arts and more importantly a generosity of thought and sprit that is nurtured by explorations of deep appreciation of the things that make us human.

“We need to broaden our sympathies both in space and time - and perceive ourselves as part of a long heritage, and stewards for an immense future.” Martin Rees