Recognizable people who feel that music is a positive thing for children to learn:

Clint Black; Calista Flockhart; Matthew Broderick; Halle Berry; Michael J. Fox; Beau Bridges;  Christina Applegate;  Steven Segal;  Coolio;  Montell Jordan;  Lucas Haas;  Gillian Anderson  and every other person in the world who learned to sing or play.

You and your child have embarked on a marvelous journey.  To be able to play a musical instrument is wonderful, enchanting and exciting.  Music may very well provide your child with a sense of personal achievement, satisfaction and affirmation that they may not otherwise have.  It does not happen by itself.  You, the parent, are quite responsible for a successful outcome of this experience.  You are the one who must crack the whip on practicing.  Your support and encouragement are of paramount importance.  Children are easily discouraged.  They cannot see the total picture of life like you have seen it.  You know, through your own experiences, that diligence and hard work are required to succeed in anything.  Usually, if it is easy, it is not worth much. 

Your child will need to depend on you to get them to and from extra rehearsals.  You will need to attend concerts and competitions to show your support.  Children wish to make their parents proud of what they do.  Your child being in band and you supporting them will improve your relationship.  It can make those difficult teen years a little easier because you have a common goal, music.

Membership in the band or orchestra boosters will help the organization attain financial aid that the school systems do not provide.  There are costs.  Band and orchestra is not football.   (Which is good.  To my knowledge, no student of music has died as a direct result of music)  There are instruments to buy, uniforms to upkeep, fees to pay.   Unfortunately, music is not a priority in most school programs.  The band director usually has to scrape and dig to afford the instruments of the band that you just plain can't afford to buy.  Tubas, bass drums and bassoons are expensive.  Most instruments are built by hand.  They require precision and accuracy in their construction.  This is expensive.  You may think the instrument that you have or will purchase is expensive, but compared to the ones the band must buy, or the professional models, they are inexpensive. 

Self-discipline, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-expression, cooperation, coordination, concentration, consideration, consistency, camaraderie.  These are big words that mean good things.  The learning of music will enhance all of these and participation in a school music program is one of the best ways to provide musical instruction for your child, and through them, you.  The effort and support that you put into your child's music education will directly affect their progression as students, as adults, and as citizens.  Support school music.

If you wish more detailed information on the positive effects of music, a publication of the Selmer Co,  "getting the most out of your child's band or orchestral experience," is available for $4.95.  Click on the "Contact Us" link below.