Munich, Germany, 2004I get caught up in violin for the violin itself; forgetting the purpose behind the tears and work I left behind in my childhood. As we exited a master class with Barbara Scowcroft of the Utah Symphony, my mom and I were struck by a lengthy quote posted on the wall of the Opera HQ.
I think there are only two other people who would be as touched by this as me: Mom, and my musical mentor Melanie Hoggan. I felt the truth resound within me as I read.
First, the arts teach children to exercise that most exquisite of capacities, the ability to make judgements in the absence of rules.
I think there are only two other people who would be as touched by this as me: Mom, and my musical mentor Melanie Hoggan. I felt the truth resound within me as I read.
First, the arts teach children to exercise that most exquisite of capacities, the ability to make judgements in the absence of rules.
A second lesson the arts teach children is that problems can have more than one solution.
A third lesson is that aims can be held flexibly; in the arts the goal one starts out with can be changed midway in the process as unexpected opportunities arrive.
The arts also teach that neither words nor numbers define the limits of our cognition; we know more than we can tell.
Finally, the arts are about joy.
"Three Rs are Essential, but Don't Forget the A-- the Arts"
By Elliot W. Eisner
(from Los Angeles Times commentary, Jan. 3, 2005)
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