Keep music in Mill Valley schools

Great program that greatly benefitted two of my sons. I sent a longer email to the board.

As a parent of three kids I fully believe that a strong music program is an important part of our kids development. I would like to see the music department be able to have more time with their students not less time.

I would like to support the program and the teachers that put so much into it. I really hope the cuts will not impact the learning and opportunities of our kids.

As well as the positive impact on the developing brain as outlined by others, music allows some of those that have non-academic and non-sports-related talents to shine. This not only gives these kids self-confidence and a much improved sense of self-worth but it also teaches other kids a valuable lesson in difference and how there are many ways to excel and contribute in life. If music programs are cut it not only hinders all these good effects but most sadly we show how we do not value musical talents and contributions as much as others. Please respect and support those different talents and skills for the benefit of us all.

Music is critical - every bit a part of the developing brain as math and language. Come on Mill Valley, you can do better!

Let me get this straight: these music teachers see how many hundreds of kids per week and the district is complaining that they have small classes once in a while?

The positive neurodevelopmental effects of playing instruments in children, as well as the positive mental effects in adults, is well studied and documented in the Journal of Neuroscience and the New England Journal of Medicine, as Joe Marciniak points out. These music programs significantly increase children's memory and learning processes. These programs should not be cut for the benefit of children's learning potential and social and emotional well-being.

Let’s cut funding for sports for a change. As Bob Marley, says, “One thing good about music is when it hits you you feel no pain”.

My two sons have benefitted from music classes all throughout elementary school, and then with Phoebe Dong in the orchestra and Cayce Carnahan in guitar class at MVMS. All you have to do is attend one of Ms. Dong's orchestra concerts to see the amazing work she does, starting from 4th grade beginners, to the advanced students in 8th grade. Having small group lessons is crucial, as it is almost impossible for a music student to learn a completely new instrument in a large classroom setting. Please keep small class sizes and the orchestra and band classes going! Let's raise well-rounded students in Mill Valley!

My Owen is so passionate about his viola that he wakes early to practice! The instrument-specific lessons are critical, and the violas are a small group - no doubt first on the list to combine with other strings that are actually very, very different instruments (different clef, different bow technique, etc.). The viola might be the first thing beyond brewing beer that my little guy is excited about. Please don't squish the program - it'll devastate him if you do. Thank you.

Please do not make any cuts or reductions to the music program or staff.

The Mill Valley School District music program distinguishes schools in the Mill Valley School District from private schools. It is a feature to be marketed to continue to draw students to the schools. The music program increases the number of students in the Mill Valley public schools, hence the number counted for public funding and the number contributing to Kiddo. Music increases test scores by uniquely developing the mind. Organized music lessons appear to benefit children's IQ and academic performance--and the longer the instruction continues, the larger the effect, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Educational Psychology (Vol. 98, No. 2). Think Little Einstein. Playing an instrument may be one of the best ways to help keep the brain healthy. “It engages every major part of the central nervous system,” said John Dani, PhD, chair of Neuroscience at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, tapping into both the right and left sides of the brain. For example, playing the violin – which, like many instruments, requires the right hand to do something different than the left-- uses the peripheral nervous system, which controls movement of your fingers, as well as gross and fine motor skills. The brain’s executive function – which plans and makes decisions – comes into play as a musician plays one part but keeps focus on what’s coming next. Couple that with the total sensory input – visual, auditory, emotional and all at the same time – and it becomes a total “workout” for the brain. See, https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2017/january/playing-an-instrument-better-for-your-brain-than-just-listening The unique opportunity to play in an orchestra allows children to work together. Each child must listen to the others part and hold up their own part for an orchestra to work. Is there another school program that develops this skill? The Mill Valley School District music teachers are sapphires among teachers, ea

The music programs of the Mill Valley school system have played a critical role in my daughter's overall educational experience. Her love and appreciation of all types of music is due in no small part to the exceptionally dedicated, talented, music professionals that have been instructing her for the last 7 years. I can't even imagine what she would be like without the joy, discipline, exhilaration, commitment, camaraderie, and pride the music program has gifted to her. Please do everything in your power to keep this amazing program available to every child in the MV school system for years to come.

Please, keep our students able to be involved in music education.

Music taught expertly, as it currently is in the Mill Valley School District (eg with Ms Dong and her strings orchestras and chamber group), teaches our kids self esteem, discipline, hardwork, how to be a good partner, good listener and good participant, how to be successful from focus and effort in the short term and long term, how to look to the long term, how to set goals and achieve them (eg last year my son's grade orchestra won the best strings orchestra surpassing older age orchestras in the California and Western Region Music Festivals, where the judges all treat Ms Dong with a respect bordering on reverence). Music, expertly taught as it currently is in Mill Valley, also teaches our kids how to appreciate the contribution of others, and how to volunteer to help others less fortunate. It enriches our kids lives and gives them a means of beauty, self-expression but also self control, and an inspiration to reach for what seems impossible but then achieve it. It also relaxes them, provides fun, reflection, comfort and friendship and builds a community of wellbeing. All these musically learned skills are mutually supportive of, and fully transfer to their experience of other classes and activities at school - making them much, much better students in all other subjects. It is astonishing to me, my husband and family and friends and other in the Marin Music community that Mill Valley School District (whose music program is renowned and much emulated) could even consider making cuts to its currently State award winning programs. Moreover, we have donated, as have many other music families, hard-earned cash in very highly taxed Mill Valley School District. Mine is ring fenced for the Music Program. I will be reconsidering how much I donate in future years if there are any cuts to the music program. I am sure many others will too. Perhaps teacher training trips and expenses and teacher substitutes could usefully be better rationed if savings are

Please keep the music!!

The opportunities in music provided to all students from elementary school and through MVMS should not be limited by budget cuts. The small group program for orchestra is a great example of the dedication of a teacher such as Phoebe Dong. Any cutting of these classes would disproportionately affect more vulnerable students in our community who may need extra attention or those whose parents cannot afford private music lesson support. My daughter began violin at Strawberry Point in 4th grade and now plays with the Tam High Orchestra as well as the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra; she would not be where she is without Phoebe Dong and the small group classes.

Instruments should be introduced at an early age; the earlier the better. My children were able to experience the viola and trumpet through Mill Valley schools. Please allow the younger children to have the same gift. ***Would love to see a marching band someday***

The music programs in all of Mill Valley's schools are so important and have been a pillar in the lives of both of my children. As a progressive society and community, we must keep these programs.

In a district where "wellness" is touted as a priority, there can be no doubt as to the therapeutic benefits a music program provides our students . Music is the soul of a school, providing a means of expression that transcends academics, and cliques. Without it, our schools are soul-less and what is already unbalanced in the busy-ness of daily life races toward a tipping point.