My name is Sara Gewurz, and I’m first going to speak on behalf of BHS’s Friends of the Performing Arts, a not-for-profit organization made up of many parents and caregivers who support the performing arts in the Public Schools of Brookline.
We know that if the override doesn’t pass, there will be significant, difficult cuts across the district. One of those cuts is a proposal to eliminate our amazing 4th through 8th grade Conservatory program which would remove all instrumental and choral music for those grades in our elementary schools. Our middle school students in grades 6 through 8 would no longer have any music education.
As many of you know, in our Conservatory program in Brookline, every fourth grader selects an instrument to study for the year. In fifth grade, our students continue on these instruments in Band or Orchestra, and others pursue singing in Chorus. In 6th though 8th grades, our middle schoolers are provided with a choice of one of six course options: Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Guitar/Ukulele, Music Production or Music Exploration. For many students Conservatory is just the start of a journey they continue through middle school, high school and for some, it becomes a lifelong passion or profession.
This amazing opportunity is only possible because the district provides it. This year, 500 4th graders are learning an instrument for the first time in Conservatory, 86 low income students receiving those instruments free of charge. It only grows to over 650 in Chorus, over 600 in Band and over 300 in Orchestra. In these classes our students aren’t just developing musical skills, they are learning how to listen, collaborate, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
We also must recognize that conservatory is a pipeline to the unbelievable music program at the high school. Cutting the grade 4-8 Conservatory program will decimate the high school music programs and hurt our students both short- and long-term.
It is also a program that meets the diverse needs of our students and supports students at all levels of ability and interest. It is a program that levels the playing field, offering every student, regardless of income or background the opportunity to learn an instrument, to participate in large ensembles, and to have student choice in their education. It is not possible to replace the impact of the Conservatory program with opportunities outside of PSB. While families with sufficient resources and musical experience will find ways to provide music education outside of school, these opportunities will be completely eliminated for many children, who will be left without access to music education who will never have the chance to realize their potential. This is unacceptable in a community like Brookline that values both equity and the arts.
Now switching hats, I’m going to speak as a parent of 3 children in the Brookline schools, each of whom has taken part in Brookline’s amazing Performing Arts programs.
My 10th grader is taking 3 simultaneous full year performing arts classes this year. I'm incredibly thankful that his sophomore schedule can accommodate this, and of course that BHS offers so many amazing robust courses in the performing arts to support his passion for music!
I’m obviously incredibly proud of his musical accomplishments, but most importantly I would have never guessed we'd be at this point when he picked the trumpet in his 4th grade conservatory class. The lessons he's learned through music in patience and hard work have pervaded his academic and non-music life. This is true of so many students who find their passions in music, arts, dance or sports and use them to bolster their academic success. It is a proven and well researched evidence in support of the Performing Arts.
So speaking on behalf of all parents whose children have participated in (or are looking forward to participating in) Conservatory, we ask you to recognize the value of our grade 4-8 Conservatory program to this community and vote FOR the May 5th override to save this program. Thank you!
We know that if the override doesn’t pass, there will be significant, difficult cuts across the district. One of those cuts is a proposal to eliminate our amazing 4th through 8th grade Conservatory program which would remove all instrumental and choral music for those grades in our elementary schools. Our middle school students in grades 6 through 8 would no longer have any music education.
As many of you know, in our Conservatory program in Brookline, every fourth grader selects an instrument to study for the year. In fifth grade, our students continue on these instruments in Band or Orchestra, and others pursue singing in Chorus. In 6th though 8th grades, our middle schoolers are provided with a choice of one of six course options: Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Guitar/Ukulele, Music Production or Music Exploration. For many students Conservatory is just the start of a journey they continue through middle school, high school and for some, it becomes a lifelong passion or profession.
This amazing opportunity is only possible because the district provides it. This year, 500 4th graders are learning an instrument for the first time in Conservatory, 86 low income students receiving those instruments free of charge. It only grows to over 650 in Chorus, over 600 in Band and over 300 in Orchestra. In these classes our students aren’t just developing musical skills, they are learning how to listen, collaborate, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
We also must recognize that conservatory is a pipeline to the unbelievable music program at the high school. Cutting the grade 4-8 Conservatory program will decimate the high school music programs and hurt our students both short- and long-term.
It is also a program that meets the diverse needs of our students and supports students at all levels of ability and interest. It is a program that levels the playing field, offering every student, regardless of income or background the opportunity to learn an instrument, to participate in large ensembles, and to have student choice in their education. It is not possible to replace the impact of the Conservatory program with opportunities outside of PSB. While families with sufficient resources and musical experience will find ways to provide music education outside of school, these opportunities will be completely eliminated for many children, who will be left without access to music education who will never have the chance to realize their potential. This is unacceptable in a community like Brookline that values both equity and the arts.
Now switching hats, I’m going to speak as a parent of 3 children in the Brookline schools, each of whom has taken part in Brookline’s amazing Performing Arts programs.
My 10th grader is taking 3 simultaneous full year performing arts classes this year. I'm incredibly thankful that his sophomore schedule can accommodate this, and of course that BHS offers so many amazing robust courses in the performing arts to support his passion for music!
I’m obviously incredibly proud of his musical accomplishments, but most importantly I would have never guessed we'd be at this point when he picked the trumpet in his 4th grade conservatory class. The lessons he's learned through music in patience and hard work have pervaded his academic and non-music life. This is true of so many students who find their passions in music, arts, dance or sports and use them to bolster their academic success. It is a proven and well researched evidence in support of the Performing Arts.
So speaking on behalf of all parents whose children have participated in (or are looking forward to participating in) Conservatory, we ask you to recognize the value of our grade 4-8 Conservatory program to this community and vote FOR the May 5th override to save this program. Thank you!