Art and music programs are being cut from schools in the U.S. because they are viewed as not necessary or a waste of money. Some say that the students will benefit from the cut in these programs, but I highly disagree. Art and music programs may seem like easy classes, where students just get to color or sing a silly song, but they are so much more. This article is for all of those who think that perhaps I learned nothing in the three years I took a chorus class and that music programs should be cut.

I began taking chorus classes my sophomore year of high school and I loved it. It was one of the most relaxing classes during the day and one of the most influential classes I ever took. I was able to focus on just singing, or learning my voice part, or doing my theory assignments. Chorus class was the one point of the day where I could just stop worrying about my grade in chemistry or how nervous I was about an interview and relax. However, it became apparent to my class that not everyone was as lucky as us to be receiving an education in the arts when my teacher showed us an article about how art and music programs should be cut from schools and sports programs should be funded more. Every year this article was shown to my class and every year it upset me and my classmates. The article claimed that sports can prepare one to work in the "real world" and are better. This is not to bash sports programs in any way at all, it is just the claim that the article made. Many of the students in my class after reading this article posed the questions about what if a child just does not like sports or has a physical disability, etc. Many of the students in the class were athletes, too, and they stated that both having an art or a music class and participating in a sport were equally influential on their lives.

What many people do not realize is that art and music programs do prepare students for the real world. They are safe outlets for students to be creative and to learn new things. While taking my chorus class I had to learn how to really listen and work with others. Trying to learn a new song is not as easy as it sounds when there are different voice parts learning different parts of the same song so that it all flows beautifully. I learned how to really listen to not only the singers in my own voice part but the other voice parts. I had to figure out how to work with a group of altos so that we were not singing the same notes as the sopranos, unless of course that is what the arrangement called for—we had to work as a team. Try singing a song where the accompaniment sounds nothing like the actual song; it is tough and requires everyone to pay attention and work together. I also had to learn how to not only listen, but watch and observe my fellow chorus members and the teacher. The teacher was the one who would cue everyone when to start and stop singing and it was important to watch her. It also called for quite a bit of creativity, too. My music teacher once said that it is important to remember that when singing, you are taking the listener on a journey. You must lead your audience through the journey by using certain vowels, by making your voice louder or softer at particular words or phrases etc. It also teaches discipline because everything takes practice and patience. No one wants to keep practicing the same song for almost 50 minutes when they could be learning something new or practicing other songs. Buckling down, paying attention, and always trying to do your best every class is the solution.

I have learned countless lessons in the three years that I participated in the chorus class at my high school and I have carried each of them beyond the classroom. I have learned how to listen better and perhaps have become a better observer. I have learned how to be creative and how to present a story in front of an audience. I have learned teamwork, discipline, and I am sure if you gave me enough time I could tell you everything I have learned. These lessons do not only pertain to music, but to art as well. Art and music programs are extremely valuable to a student's education and more importantly their development as a person. Art and music programs are not useless and teach more than most people realize. By cutting these programs, students are missing out on great opportunities to have a true education.