As many of you know, I recently returned from my
third visit to Cuba. I have been drawn to this country because of the
incredible commitment to arts education even though there is a shortage of
basic supplies and food. The music and particularly the choral music is
outstanding and the children with talent and interest are nurtured and given
rigorous training which is tested regularly. For those who persist and survive
the testing, there is a guaranteed job in the professional music world, singing
with a band, singing in a chorus, or conducting.
In the last year and a half, the city of Havana has
started a revitalization project to maintain the beautiful buildings that have
been crumbling due to lack of attention. Under Raul Castro there is a new
openness to private enterprise and some families are opening restaurants, bed
and breakfasts and even retail stores.
As Cuba moves to incorporate the positive aspects of
capitalism, which are sorely needed to help the vast number of poor people in
the country, there is an economist who is advising the process who cautions
Cuba to take best of free enterprise, but to avoid becoming its slave.
As I read this article written by an American
student in high school about the importance of choral music in his life, I
applaud Cuba’s dedication to this art form and I am reminded of the critical
nature of the work we do. It is my belief that Ragazzi is a positive force for
connection among young men who are seeking understanding and meaning in our
modern world. I am glad that there are Americans who understand the importance
of choral music.
WHY
CHORAL MUSIC IS VITAL TO TODAY’S YOUTH by Reilly Dougherty
The world today is changing at a swift pace. Every day we are advancing as a
whole technologically, but as we progress in these areas, it seems that we are
regressing in others to a point where personal human understanding is no longer
prevalent. There is an endless amount of solutions to this problem, but my
personal savior would have to be choral music. Unfortunately, despite popular
belief amongst my fellow students, sheer participation isn’t enough. You must
immerse yourself in the art form. I have found that a looming fear of failure
is a contributing factor to the decline in the arts as a whole. Being an artist
of any form requires effort, and students can save themselves from the possible
embarrassment by pursuing something far less complicated. Examples of which
might include video games, or avid tweeting.
My experiences in choir are what saved me from
mediocrity, complacency, and a great deal of ignorance. Whether it is during a
performance or in the classroom, I’ve gained much more than I ever could have
hoped to through the internet or television. Singing has taught me humility
through error, reward through success, feeling through understanding, and most
importantly, how to use singing to identify with the piece I am performing, and
the audience I am performing for. This creates a bond of emotions that helps me
realize that each individual has their own story, along with a series of
battles in which they were forced to contend. A strong sense of community is
provided and that is what our youth needs most to prevent a fracture in today’s
society. Choral music helps us remember what is significant, while maintaining
a development of our natural qualities and existence, cohesively as a race.
(Reilly Dougherty is a senior at Firestone High
School in Akron, Ohio)
