Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Troll_Bait]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071114/lf_nm_life/music_dc

[Rteacher]

While watching the Comedy Central (on TVU) I noticed a commercial by LG mobile phones (partnered with some U.S. company) in which they state their committment to sponsoring music (and art) classes in public schools - many of which have dropped such programs.

Musical and artistic expression definitely enriches culturally as well as pyschologically and contributes to more well-rounded educational experience. Liberal arts have largely been sacrificed in favor of technical studies (and money-making sports...)

Mr. Holland's Opus touched on that theme - as well as the difference that dedicated teachers who love what they teach can make in inspiring their students to be successful.

Even Disney's High School Musical has reportedly had the positive effect of inspiring more interest in musical productions at the high school level ...

[Czarjorge]

This "study" is specious.

Schools are funded, in the largest part, by local property taxes. All schools receive funding from state and federal government agencies, but the majority of the funding for schools comes from property taxes and bond issues that communities choose to pass.

Schools with music programs are from areas with the money to afford the programs. Music programs require, in the vast majority of cases, for music students to purchase instruments to practice with on their own time.

So, if you receive music education, you are generally...

1. from an area of significant wealth (with all the opportunities that come with it)

2. from a family that is able to afford spending several hundred to several thousand dollars on a musical instrument for you to use while taking music classes

Go figure, the people who have these advantages are also the ones who go on to receive higher education and then go on to make more money.

I hate misleading crap like this. America is as classist as England or India, only we ignore it. Or chalk it up to racism or "a lack of motivation" on the poor peoples part.

[KOREAN_MAN]

For this "research" to have any credibility, all other variables have to be equal. If you are rich and take violin lessons, then ya, you will make more money than if you were poor and couldn't afford any violin lessons. Don't believe in stats.

[Czarjorge]

It can't even really be called statistics. It's a freaking poll for god's sake. It's not like it has the same scientific merit as a case study.

I'm all for music education, it's a great idea, but it dismays me that Reuters of all places is putting out crap like this.

[Underwaterbob]

My junior high and high schools both had excellent music programs (12 years ago) and my hometown is far from rich. Both schools had instruments for the students to use and lots of community support.

I know those students that were in band throughout junior high and high school are, on average, working higher paying jobs than the rest of the people from those schools.

I agree this poll is crap in that most cases I'm sure these people making loads of money who have a music education came from money. Don't knock it however, music education definitely develops many skills that are useful in many situations/careers and should be supported.

I have to troll now: that pshopped O'Donnell avatar has to be one of the ugliest things I have ever seen and why on earth would anyone in their right mind choose it for such?

[ernie]

this study reminds me of a simpsons episode (like most things in life):

Homer: Well, there's not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol is sure doing its job.
Lisa: That's specious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, sweetie.
Lisa: Dad, what if I were to tell you that this rock keeps away tigers.
Homer: Uh-huh, and how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn't work. It's just a stupid rock.
Homer: I see.
Lisa: But you don't see any tigers around, do you?
Homer: Lisa, I'd like to buy your rock.