Fine arts for all

Sunday, June 22, 2008
Fine arts for all
Sunday June 22, 2008
Fine arts for all
THE article, “Seeking refuge in music” (StarEducation, June 8), makes readers in Malaysia and beyond realise how fortunate our children are as they can opt for an education in music or any other subject, without facing repercussions from militants or extremist groups.

Despite being exposed to music and some elements of the fine arts, not all Malaysian children have full access to them.

While music is part of the school curriculum, it is not offered in all schools. The subject is not given much emphasis and children keen on pursuing music have to do so on their own.

Parents who can afford it often have to fork out hundreds of ringgit each month to pay for their children’s music lesons and dance classes, while those who cannot, deprive their children, some of whom are very talented.

I have seen schoolchildren at both elementary and secondary levels who form musical ensembles ranging from pop to rock with their neighbours or classmates

It is not just a hobby for them; they compete in inter-school or national music competitions like the Battle of the Bands.

Without a fine arts education, we will only create philistines of our children. Do we want to emphasise the sciences and let our children think that all things associated with music and the arts are “useless”?

Studies have proven that children who are exposed to music and the arts often turn out to be more compassionate adults.

It is time we bring music and other elements of the fine arts back into the mainstream of education. By doing so, school choirs, orchestras and dance clubs will be revived, together with the marching bands and rock bands.

Such a move will also enable children from all walks of life, and not just a select few, to appreciate the subject.

Yinyang Via e-mail
Posted by TheBorhann at 3:12 AM 0 comments
Labels: Fine arts for all