With looming budget deficits and cuts in State funding, many schools are being forced to trim or eliminate music, theater and art programs. Often considered less vital than math or history, the benefits of these programs should not be overlooked.

Most people realize that performance builds self-respect and confidence, nurtures creativity and helps instill a sense of responsibility and teamwork. What many do not realize is that the arts provide an opportunity to enjoy education while teaching the basic skills needed to get the most out of it.

For example, as a high school student I was average and often preferred to play my guitar rather than study. Complex math in particular would just make my eyes roll up in my head. I saw no need for it until I started to play the electric guitar. Then I learned what watts are, and why I needed more of them. That led to an interest in how guitars and amplifiers worked, and that involves some complex math—which I was now interested in.

I learned a fair amount of history through an interest in music, too. Many of those cool heavy scales we pickers use are named after regions of ancient Greece, for interesting reasons. I remember seeing a painting by Hieronymus Bosch and thinking what a great album cover that would be, and then discovering that it was painted in the 15th century made me wonder how such an ancient guy could paint in such a vividly modern style.

The point is that the arts encompass everything. Education focuses on pure disciplines, and can suffer from a narrow perspective. But Art is global. You need it all to be a good artist.

In the course of my day as a music teacher, I help young musicians and songwriters correct their English, discuss string physics, explain the chemistry of fog machines and work out the math on how much to charge per ticket for a five-piece band in a distant city.

There is some dispute about whether or not music lessons or being in a theater program improves study skills. A Rockefeller Foundation study found music students have the highest admittance to Medical schools. A Harvard study found evidence that spatial-temporal reasoning improves when children learn to make music. It’s unclear if the arts will help your student do better in school or if kids who do better in school tend to enjoy the arts. If Johnny needs help with math, he probably benefits more from a math tutor than piano lessons.

What is clear is that a well-rounded education includes the arts. Art exists in so many fundamental forms; it’s the difference between a beer mug and a wineglass, a melody and a noise, a fight and a debate. Learning to appreciate the finer things in life is what makes life a joy to live. Perhaps the world would look better if seen through more artistic eyes?

Mike Stanley