May 21, 2019
Funding of music education has been on the decline for a very long time. According to the Coalition for Music Education, only about one-quarter of schools teach music as part of a more general arts curriculum. [The Coalition for Music Education; coalitioncanada.ca]. Additionally, the Coalition shows the lack of qualified music teachers and a lackluster level of support for music education by school boards.
Music programs are constantly being downsized from shrinking school budgets even though they're proven to improve academics. [National Centre for Education Statistics; nces.ed.gov]. There are reams of reports that prove the value of music education. Youth who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education. Stanford has long been a pioneer in the field of music cognition. "Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study finds." [Stanford Medicine; Baker, Mitzi.].
My personal experience correlates with the research. Growing up in Calgary, I found school music programs to be far too easy and limiting. Needing a higher quality of music education, my parents supported my pursuits outside of school. I’m very grateful to have found Cassa Musical Arts. Like the name, Cassa is my musical ‘home’. The Directors have a uniquely holistic approach to inspiring students through music. “We focus on supporting the whole person in their pursuit of music”, says Linda Kundert; Artistic Director. “Cassa is about building connections and being inspired”, says Darren Dyck, Director.
Cassa has taught me how to work hard through the love of creating musical experiences. They have an incredible team of highly-skilled music educators. Cassa has enabled me to build life-long friendships, supported me through performance anxiety, built-up my confidence and inspired me to strive for more than I thought possible—From musical theatre to playwriting and composing. Often, they would see more in me than I ever could. When life feels hard and heavy, I can always count on Cassa.
— Justine Cherry-Delisle,
Life-long Student, Cassa Musical Arts