Grosse Pointe Music Academy Commentary
In reflection on Steve Colucci’s letter published in the Providence Journal, February 4, 2014
In a thought-provoking commentary originally published by the Providence Journal, writer Steve Colucci responded to a student-written piece defending music education—echoing a concern many arts educators share: Why must we continually justify the arts in terms of their academic side effects rather than their inherent worth?
Colucci rightly points out the troubling trend of evaluating music and other creative disciplines solely through their ability to boost performance in traditional academic subjects. While it’s well-documented that music supports cognitive development, language acquisition, and emotional intelligence, these aren’t the only reasons to keep the arts alive in schools.
Music, visual art, dance, and theater enrich lives, spark innovation, and inspire joy. They are essential pursuits with intrinsic value, not merely tools for better test scores. As music educators, we at Grosse Pointe Music Academy resonate deeply with the sentiment that art should not have to “prove itself” to exist within an educational framework.
We applaud Amanda Siegel’s original piece for its advocacy and commend Steve Colucci for his passionate defense of the arts as worthy in and of themselves. Let’s continue to promote music education not only for its benefits to the brain, but for its ability to nurture the soul.
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Shared by Grosse Pointe Music Academy – Offering music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums, strings and more for students of all ages in Grosse Pointe, Canton, and across Metro Detroit.
Learn more at www.grossepointemusicacademy.com
Original source: Providence Journal, Letter by Steve Colucci, Feb. 4, 2014
Shared by Grosse Pointe Music Academy
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