Two professors from Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) have made teaching music their profession and feel that these cuts will not only affect the college’s budding music program, but the community at large.
“It’s really unfortunate,” said Assistant Professor of Music at LMU, Dr. Sean Greene. “The music and the arts in general help the total student. It’s part of the core curriculum for the state of Tennessee. And to just take that away from kids puts them at an even bigger disadvantage.”
Fellow Assistant Professor Candace Armstrong, who directs the Music Education program, said the effects of this decision will be far-reaching.
“I certainly understand people having budget issues to look at,” she said. “But it seems to me that it would be more beneficial to everybody — students and general population alike in this area — if they would try to find someplace else to cut rather than a core subject, something that’s going to really improve the general quality of life of these kids. I think what they ought to be looking at is how to get more music, not less music.”
Greene agreed, adding that live music is something we often take for granted.
“Just the culture of arts in this area will be affected tremendously,” said Greene. “Live music — there’s nothing else like it … functional live music, like marching bands at football games and parades, is one thing, but … to have that outlet (of live music) available for people in the community is really important. I would hate to see that just dissolve.”
Armstrong cited a study from the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, which she said shows music’s affect on drug abuse — an epidemic problem for this region.
“’Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs,’” Armstrong said, quoting from the report. “So they’re not just cutting a core subject that needs to be taught for a lot of reasons.“
She added that many scientific studies show students in band have higher SAT scores and are more likely to go to and succeed at college.
Armstrong, who directs LMU’s new Music Education program, said the music cuts will affect their recruitment.
“It’s a pretty new program, but it’s growing,” said Armstrong, regarding their Music Education program. “We’re in that fledgling stage, but makes it (the music cuts) not good news for us. To think that there’s nobody in our immediate area. Of course we can go further abroad and recruit. But it would be nice to know that we’re supported in the local area as well.”
Armstrong said it was a trend in this area that people don’t in their Tri-state area to work after college. She said with the music cuts, the music teachers they produce at LMU will now not be able to stay in the county they graduate from.
“That happens all the time in this area, where you’re economically deprived,” she said. “The kids that do manage to go to college and get degrees are generally forced to go elsewhere to find work, and that just exacerbates the situation more and more. So, we need to be able to keep educated and well-rounded folks in this area for the benefit of all of us.”
Armstrong said the music department would lend a hand and help the school system if they needed it.
“We are more than willing to jump in and help,” said Armstrong. “We can send some of our kids out there to do something a little more informal than what they’ve had going on. I think it’s absolutely crucial that they (Claiborne County Schools) understand they’re not swimming alone. We can help if they’re willing to let us come in and do that and not throw this thing out the window altogether.”
Armstrong said that looming cutbacks in neighboring counties makes the fight for music in Claiborne County that much more important.
“That’s the reason we need to take a stand with this one right here so we don’t have a ripple effect,” she said.
Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
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