On March 22, nine of the 10 elementary school choirs in the Marysville School District performed to a packed audience. Each school did an individual song, along with three mass choir songs. More than 600 students were involved in this outstanding concert. I was one of the directors. I have never experienced goose bumps like that before, as all 600 sang the opening number.

Our students were proud of what they had accomplished, along with their parents, their teachers, their choir directors and their administrators. But as these students move into middle school and high school, the opportunities for them to continue music diminishes. Music classes become the first item to be cut from school district budgets.

I remember as an elementary student in the ’70s going with my honor choir to sing at the capitol in Olympia to persuade legislators not to cut music in public schools. It’s a battle we are still fighting today even after almost 40 years. When will legislators, administrators and local elected officials realize the benefits music has to offer young people? Music is a universal language and sometimes the only language students understand. If our performance on Thursday evening persuaded even one person (I’m speaking mainly to legislators, local elected officials and administrators) of the importance of music in our schools, then maybe our music programs can be saved in this state.

With a song in my heart,

Ramona Hoff

Music Specialist

Allen Creek Elementary

Marysville School District