Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. ~Ludwig van Beethoven Forest Area Schools are in danger of losing their music program. On 27 June the school board will vote on whether to cut the music program. We must let the school board, Department of Education and our State Representatives know how much music educations means to the students and parents of Forest Area Schools. Music education is not just another “elective”. Although one cannot deny music is fun, there are so many educational and personal benefits of a music program that it would be difficult to list them all in a petition. We do know that musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. Children involved in school music program score better on the SAT test (especially in Math), they show increased development of critical thinking skills, and they have an academic edge over children who do not participate in band. The federal "No Child Left Behind" legislation states that music is a core academic subject. It is a vital element in a quality education for every child. I do not think it is a coincidence that 4 out of the last 5 Forest Area valedictorians were members of the school band. No education is complete without music! Yes! I want to save the music program in the Forest Area Schools