To all Communications High School (CHS) students, the question as to why they applied to their school is a familiar one, and the answer usually has arts at the center of it. However, the arts curriculum neglects one critical area: music.
CHS is often promoted as an all-encompassing arts school. Music is no doubt a key element of the arts, yet there are no music classes and only one unofficial club of new origin for it. It begs the question: should there be an expansion to the arts offered at CHS?
Junior Fiona Griffin of Middletown, CHS music club’s founder, believes the answer to this question should be “yes”.
“As president of the Music Club, I definitely have a little bit of bias, but I absolutely think that there should be more musical presence at CHS,” Griffin began. “It is a core art in anything, and it would be wonderful to see students embrace music especially in the context of their arts,” Griffin said.
Promotions Head of Music Club, freshman Kyler LaMonte of Tinton Falls, says musical presence in the CHS curriculum would be greatly beneficial.
“I thought there would be music classes. I’m more interested in the vocal side of music, but everyone would benefit from general music theory,” LaMonte said.
It’s more than student opinion swaying the need for music curriculum. Music programs are proven to increase general school graduation and attendance rates. The National Educational Longitudinal Study says schools with music programs have a 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate. Schools without music education only average a 72.9% graduation rate and 84.9% attendance rate.
CHS radio teacher Bill Bengle thinks a music appreciation course would be an incredible opportunity for students.
“I’ve been wanting to teach a music appreciation course here forever. I took one when I was a freshman in high school, and it opened up a lot of avenues in musical growth,” Bengle said. “A lot of people here don’t know enough about music, and a course would really help a lot of kids.”
Even without classes, the opportunity for musical showcases through events like Teen Arts NJ Festival is not only a good outlet, but is also provided at non art-focused vocational schools such as Biotechnology High School, a biology-focused school.
“This is something that the CHS music club could take responsibility for in their chorus subsection, if they desired.” Bengle, who also doubles as the Drama Club advisor, said when asked about Teen Arts Vocal & Chorus showcases.
What drives CHS is the students’ passion for their desired field, and the same opportunities provided for other art fields should be given to music. A general music class where students can study a wide range of musical education, such as vocal, instrument and music production, would be the best way to efficiently make a music class with CHS’s limited curriculum space. Music is so influential world-wide, making ripples in people’s lives through the slightest presence; it’s only right CHS expands upon music’s presence in the school.
