Well-Rounded Children

For A Better World

To the Editor:

There is some erroneous information circling around the town about fourth grade orchestra being back at Head of Meadow School. Everyone should understand there is NO fourth grade orchestra at Head of Meadow School.

What they do have is private strings lessons for those who are willing to pay for it. I believe they have around 28 students who are participating. The lessons are not part of the school day either, rather they are a before or after school lesson. Obviously, not all children can or will participate in private lessons.

My fear with the association of private music lessons and the school is that the town will assume that if orchestra is desired by the families of fourth graders, that we will pay for it, and thus we will never get it back to our elementary schools. I believe, and there are numerous studies to back me up, that learning an instrument at an early age is extremely beneficial in numerous ways for a child, every child. Some people don’t think learning an instrument is important, or shouldn’t be part of an “academic” atmosphere where the emphasis is purely on those “left-brain” functions. Learning an instrument stimulates and forces children to use more of their right-side of the brain. When we have well-rounded children, we have well-rounded adults and a better world.

Linda Watson

51 High Rock Road, Sandy Hook                            December 8, 2004