Why We Teach
Forgive me while I get a bit dramatic and emotional (I'm told I
have a propensity for this!): My wife Stephanie and I started
Resound to change the world - or at least our world and
the future world of our children.
I don't know if it's just that I've gained a new perspective
from growing up and having kids, or if the world around us is
really changing. But it seems that everywhere we look there
are new perils awaiting us - whether it's negative pressure from
peers, negative messages from the increasingly ubiquitous media,
the predatory pastimes of internet sociopaths, economic
instability, or any one of the many other ill effects of a fallen
world.
We desperately want our children to be equipped to defend
themselves against these perils now and increasingly as they mature
into more responsibility. Not only is this our desire - it is
our responsibility. We absolutely must teach, prepare and
equip our children for what is to come.
BUT WHY MUSIC?
So what does this have to do with teaching children music? We
don't believe that there is anything mystical or magical about the
arts, but rather see them as:
a) an effective vehicle to
developing sharp minds,
b) a conduit for a positive mindset,
essential in the development of perseverance,
c) a tool for the development of
empathy, that all-too important quality for positive human
relationships, and
d) a sharpener of communication
skills, for the purpose of proclaiming the glory of their
Creator.
Although we have personally seen and experienced the richness of
the disciplined practice of the arts, as you may have, we can also
look to numerous studies on the affects of the arts of people of
all ages, and especially children.
The recent explosion of studies on the various
effects of the arts have clearly shown us that the consistent
study of the arts throughout elementary to high school has many
benefits.
Although, we eagerly hope that our students will continue to
appreciate and practice a discipline of the arts their whole life
(as we do), we would be far more satisfied if we were able to help
equip them to better meet the challenges they will certainly face
with integrity and a clear mind.
That's why we teach music and the arts - on so many
levels it enriches the lives of the student and helps to prepare
them for the future.
