As we head to the polls to determine the outcome of the of the Ector County Independent School District bond election, I am reminded of how the arts have impacted my life over the years.
In the early 1980s there was a town hall meeting at Ector High School. The topic of discussion was desegregation and thereby the future of the school. I spoke at that meeting on the value of our children learning together and not being determined by the color of their skin. A quote from that short emotional speech wound up in the book, Friday Night Nights. Not long after that meeting it was determined that Ector would be a junior high school. I have many memories following that. It was determined by the “powers that be” that students would be bussed into Ector from other parts of the community. I especially remember the first summer band students that came during the early transition. They unloaded the buses and cars crying; having to leave their schools, they no doubt feared the unknown. There were meetings held with the students and the parents by the band director. Over time they were able to function and learn their instruments and play their notes, under the leadership of a very patient band director. They performed in school concerts, UIL, with the support of a very supportive band booster organization. Fast forward some twenty years later, the band director retired. There was a final concert and a party. Many of those same students returned, all grew up, shedding tears of joy, and memories of their first days of uncertainty. Several of the students spoke at the concert sharing their respect for, and appreciation for, the band director and the joy of the warm learning experience of being in the band.
There is no doubt that this experience for many of the students helped them gain strength to work through their fears of learning in a new unfamiliar environment with other students they had never met. They all had one thing in common. They loved the music they made together. They became friends and leaders. They were able to communicate with each other through the universal language of music. This was an example of what impact the arts can have in our public school.
Our children learned partly from their experience with each in the band music program how to appreciate their uniqueness and the universal language of love, and the art of seeking understanding to work together in harmony. These traits can be learned in other settings, but this one resonated with me. Maybe because fast forward today, our children greatly benefited from the music program in the ECISD school system. This past weekend our son premiered a piece written for him, with the Cassant Quartet at the Wagner Noel.
The arts have deep passionate roots in our lives. Our public school introduces a good foundation for the success of our community. This bond is not perfect but is a step in the right direction. I encourage you to vote Yes for all three propositions A, B, and C.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Jackson, PhD – Nurse Educator, Retired
Wife of retired Band Director
Active grandparent
