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"Why Music?" is a series of radio public service
announcements produced by MENC (National Association for Music
Education). The series features top country, pop, jazz and classical
artists who serve as music advocates connecting music education and success. More than 40 musicians/musical
groups have recorded the announcements, including Reba McEntire, Willie
Nelson, Gloria Estefan and Roger McGuin.
Here's a few of the messages:
 Sara
Evans
(country & western artist)
"Homework. Soccer. Part-time jobs. The internet! Are you and your
busy kids overlooking something important? Don't forget music! Studying
music is one of the most valuable ways a student can spend time.
Practicing music reinforces team work, communication skills,
self-discipline, and creativity -- all qualities kids need to be
successful in their other schoolwork. These skills will help kids later,
too, in their jobs in and in society. Help your kids learn that there's
more to music than what they hear on the radio. The more they learn
about it, the more they'll enjoy listening to their favorite tunes.
Then, maybe they can even explain to you why they think their own music
is so cool! Hey, turn off the TV and play music with your kids!"
 Nerissa
Nields
(from folk-rock group "The Nields")
"Hello there, I'm Nerissa Nields. Kids have a lot on their plates
these days. It can be hard, as parents, to stop and think about how
something like learning music now can help them in the future.
Music helps kids because it's a performing art, and children need to
learn to perform well to succeed in society. Getting an 85% on a
math test is pretty good -- but hitting 85% of the right notes during a
concert isn't good enough for most music students, or their teachers! A
special kind of practice and preparation goes into the discipline of
performing music. And it helps kids perform better in all areas of their
lives."
 Vince
Gill
(country/pop artist)
"Hi everybody, this is Vince Gill. Now I've written a fair share of
songs that have gone on to be really popular, and for that I'm really
grateful. To me, being a song writer is the best. I remember that songs
and music really spoke to me in a wonderful way and I'm thankful for
that love. Now today in music classrooms, teachers are using techniques
to help their students really improve something called spatial IQ. And
the more the child's spatial IQ is, the easier it is to tackle studies
in math and science. Now that's a bargain."
 Nitanju
Bolade-Casel
(from gospel, jazz and blues group "Sweet Honey in the
Rock")
"Everyone loves to listen to music. But have you ever stopped to
think about why it's great for kids to learn to play music? Hi,
I'm Nitanju Bolade-Casel. It's such a
thrill for a child when he or she gets that first instrument, or masters
a simple part on the flute, or performs a showstopper with the school
chorus. And there's so much music out there to play and listen
to! When kids learn to appreciate a show tune, a Beethoven symphony, or
traditional African music, in addition to what they hear on the radio,
it opens their young minds to the diversity of the world around them.
Make sure your kids learn to love music."
 Kix
Brooks
"One of the many things people expect schools to do these days is
inspire students to be creative. Hey y'all, Kix Brooks from Brooks &
Dunn here. Educators and psychologists agree. They say that helping
young minds tap their creativity is just as important as mastering math
and English skills. And, of course, all parents love to experience the
joy of seeing and hearing something their child has created. Well, one
of the best places creativity is actively encouraged is in music class:
kids working out a phrase in a choir part; learning technical stuff like
fingerings on an instrument; or even composing and arranging music on
computers. Music classrooms are bursting with creative energy just
waiting to be explored by young minds. Don't let it go to waste."
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Artists Speak Out