Do you remember when you participated in your school music programs or school plays? Do you remember your parents or other family in the audience taking photos? Going to your own children’s programs?

What you probably did not know is that while you or your family members were learning music, a type of concert was happening in the brain. A genesis of sorts. Brain research over the past couple of decades keeps confirming that early music learning boosts brain development in substantial ways.

It’s been my opinion for a long time that serious music instruction should play a part in early intervention to prevent reading and math learning problems. The Suzuki method, for example, is designed to teach tiny children music while postponing the reading of music (which is why a 2 to 4 year old can be enthusiastic about playing the violin).

Any talk about cutting arts from schools makes me crazy. The arts, especially music, are the things that glue all learning together. They help us learn. They help us remember.

Marietta City Schools Holiday Program Schedule: