Mary Verleur

Nile Verleur, Girion Verleur, and Morgan Harvill, violinists

Mary Verleur

Girion Verleur, violinist

Every since my daughter, Nile, was three years old, she started asking me for a violin. I really don't know where she even got the idea, but she had that trait possessed by so many children: persistence. So, by the age of four--after asking relentlessly for one year--she had herself a rented violin (I was sure she wouldn't stick with it, after all). Fortunately, my children's school, Walnut Cyn Elem in Moorpark, offered a string orchestra program and that kept them playing every day, for years. Six years later, both of my children are still playing violin--now with the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra and the Moorpark College Community Orchestra. Not only has Nile gotten her little brother, Girion, playing violin, but her dad and cousin now play, too. Music has become a key part of our family--a source of bonding, joy, stress-release, and art.

Why should your children consider music? For all of the reasons I've mentioned and more. Music enriches the lives of children in countless ways: socially, academically, and personally. It teaches hard work, teamwork, "another language" (reading music), and provides a sense of happiness and accomplishment. Music erases the barriers of race, age, and religion. It levels the playing field and fosters a sense of community when people come together to form an orchestra or band.

Is there any real evidence that Music Boosts Test Scores? Yes! Readers may be interested to know that learning to read music and playing a musical instrument actually improves test scores. Even just listening to classical music has been proven to boost test scores! According to a 2006 College Board Study, musicians score 57 points higher in Verbal and 43 points higher in Math, on average. You will find endless studies to support the facts that young musicians are healthier, happier individuals in many ways.

Even in this era of budget-cuts and rising gas prices, we need to remember the benefits and prioritize music education and music events for our children. The National Standards 1994 Educate America Act helped to put the arts back in schools--back in our children's lives. But budget cuts are happening all around us, so beware and be vocal. As parents, there is so much we can do to encourage quality music education, including making our voices heard with the school boards, financing lessons and instruments in our homes, encouraging music, and attending quality concerts with our children.

Horace Mann, founder of the U.S. School System, once said, "Music is vital to the development of aesthetic appreciation, citizenship, and thinking."

Consider music events for your children this summer. Start with the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra "Imagine" Concert on Sunday, June 1st at 3:00 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. You'll see hundreds of amazing young performers, ages 8-18, who play like professionals! It is a musical treat for audience members of all ages.

Tickets: Call (805) 449-ARTS

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office

Or Ticketmaster Or Visit: www.cvyo.com

Tickets: $19 Adults & $16-Students and Seniors ages 65+