To the editor:
I am writing this letter in support of National Music Week and to promote this year’s theme, “Music…is our constant companion.” The National Federation of Music Clubs works tirelessly year-round to support music in our communities, and we join them this week by bringing our awareness of the presence of music in our lives to the front of our consciousness.
As a music educator for over three decades, I have had the privilege of guiding over one thousand young people in their pursuit of being able to play an instrument. One thing that I always tell them is that playing an instrument is a skill that you can have for your whole life, and once you have learned that skill, nobody can take it away from you. I am gratified to know that many of these people still count themselves as instrumentalists well into adulthood and have kept their love for playing an instrument as a constant companion and part of their identity. Music is not something that you outgrow. Whether you begin to appreciate new sounds as music continues to evolve, or you hold fast to the familiarity of your old favorites, you will never reach an age where music becomes unavailable to you. As we move forward in life, we can depend on music to accompany us to every stage.
Take some time this week to be aware of the music that is your constant companion. Music is everywhere that you can be, whether you are celebrating or sorrowful, at work or at play, far away or right at home, with a group or all alone, “Music…is our constant companion.”
Laura Beck
Washington 4-5 Band Director
Huron
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