When I was asked
to write to you about my views of the role of the Arts in society, I did not
hesitate to embrace the task. Over the past three years, I have been working on
a PhD in Music Education. I have finished all of my coursework and have
"only" my dissertation remaining. In this program of study, I recall
many discussions in our seminar classes that were seeking to answer this very
question: What is the role of the Arts in our society? For purposes of this
writing, I use "Art" to mean music, dance, theatre, fine art, and
literature.

I think that most
philosophers in this arena agree on at least one fundamental concept: the
purpose of Art in general is to cause a reaction, any reaction, in the
viewer/listener. I personally want your reaction to be positive, but I think
that all artists need to allow for any possibility. I truly believe this, and I
am extremely pleased when I am able to help others share in the experience. The
reason I participate is that I would never be totally comfortable in my life if
I were not "creating." Somehow (due in large part to the many
blessings of our God), over the course of my career, I have been developing an
ability to make music by teaching and leading orchestras, and when I am not
doing that, I do not feel complete. My role here is that of artist/performer.

There are,
however, two other roles: that of creator (composer, author, painter, sculptor,
etc.) and viewer/listener. All three roles are of equal importance and could
not really exist in most cases without the other. A lot of publicity has been
given recently to the fact that students in school who are involved in the Arts
generally do better in the academic subjects, especially Math and Linguistics,
as verified by scores on standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT.

I am convinced
that this correlation is real, but I do not think it to be causal. I feel that
there are two other classes in which a student could participate and stand an
even better chance of improving their test scores: Math and English. I am, by
no means, discounting the importance of the Arts, but I actually feel that
there is a much greater meaning, need, and purpose of the Arts. From my
observations, I am totally persuaded that the Arts foster a concept or
condition in a

person that NO
other subject can. I believe that exposure to the Arts develops, in the human
being, a heightened state of sentience. Sentience is the art of
"feeling." It is feeling or sensation, as distinguished from
perception and thought. The Arts, in school, literally teach one how to feel.
In later years, I believe that participation in the Arts continues to enhance
our abilities to feel. People exposed to the Arts can become more sensitive,
compassionate, kind, considerate, and caring. The Arts are indispensable to any
advanced society or culture. They are truly the greatest way of improving or
increasing the "human experience." In addition to this fundamental
concept of sentience, the Arts are always among the highest expression of every
culture, teaching us much about every historical period through its literature,
visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Today it is recognized that to be truly
well educated one must not only learn to appreciate the arts but must have rich
opportunities to actively participate in creative work (again as creator,
performer or viewer/listener). The Arts are languages that most people speak,
cutting through individual differences in culture, educational background, and
ability. They can bring every subject to life and turn abstractions into concrete
reality. I heartily invite you to participate in the Arts as much as you
possibly can, and to encourage your children to do so, as well, starting at
very early ages. Recent research has shown that the initial learning window for
both music and linguistics is negative three months (in the womb) to
approximately fourteen years of age. It is never too early to start, and it is
never too late to continue. It is my sincere wish that you are moved by our
performance today, and that you continue to be moved by the Arts in general. If
I can have any role in your pursuit of these lofty goals, then I have done my
job. I hope that we can all have positive impacts on each other’s lives, and
through these concerted efforts, our society can only change for the better.

person that NO
other subject can. I believe that exposure to the Arts develops, in the human
being, a heightened state of sentience. Sentience is the art of
"feeling." It is feeling or sensation, as distinguished from
perception and thought. The Arts, in school, literally teach one how to feel.
In later years, I believe that participation in the Arts continues to enhance
our abilities to feel. People exposed to the Arts can become more sensitive,
compassionate, kind, considerate, and caring. The Arts are indispensable to any
advanced society or culture. They are truly the greatest way of improving or
increasing the "human experience." In addition to this fundamental
concept of sentience, the Arts are always among the highest expression of every
culture, teaching us much about every historical period through its literature,
visual arts, music, dance, and drama. Today it is recognized that to be truly
well educated one must not only learn to appreciate the arts but must have rich
opportunities to actively participate in creative work (again as creator,
performer or viewer/listener). The Arts are languages that most people speak,
cutting through individual differences in culture, educational background, and
ability. They can bring every subject to life and turn abstractions into concrete
reality. I heartily invite you to participate in the Arts as much as you
possibly can, and to encourage your children to do so, as well, starting at
very early ages. Recent research has shown that the initial learning window for
both music and linguistics is negative three months (in the womb) to
approximately fourteen years of age. It is never too early to start, and it is
never too late to continue. It is my sincere wish that you are moved by our
performance today, and that you continue to be moved by the Arts in general. If
I can have any role in your pursuit of these lofty goals, then I have done my
job. I hope that we can all have positive impacts on each other’s lives, and
through these concerted efforts, our society can only change for the better.

I am convinced
that this correlation is real, but I do not think it to be causal. I feel that
there are two other classes in which a student could participate and stand an
even better chance of improving their test scores: Math and English. I am, by
no means, discounting the importance of the Arts, but I actually feel that
there is a much greater meaning, need, and purpose of the Arts. From my
observations, I am totally persuaded that the Arts foster a concept or
condition in a

There are,
however, two other roles: that of creator (composer, author, painter, sculptor,
etc.) and viewer/listener. All three roles are of equal importance and could
not really exist in most cases without the other. A lot of publicity has been
given recently to the fact that students in school who are involved in the Arts
generally do better in the academic subjects, especially Math and Linguistics,
as verified by scores on standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT.

I think that most
philosophers in this arena agree on at least one fundamental concept: the
purpose of Art in general is to cause a reaction, any reaction, in the
viewer/listener. I personally want your reaction to be positive, but I think
that all artists need to allow for any possibility. I truly believe this, and I
am extremely pleased when I am able to help others share in the experience. The
reason I participate is that I would never be totally comfortable in my life if
I were not "creating." Somehow (due in large part to the many
blessings of our God), over the course of my career, I have been developing an
ability to make music by teaching and leading orchestras, and when I am not
doing that, I do not feel complete. My role here is that of artist/performer.

When I was asked
to write to you about my views of the role of the Arts in society, I did not
hesitate to embrace the task. Over the past three years, I have been working on
a PhD in Music Education. I have finished all of my coursework and have
"only" my dissertation remaining. In this program of study, I recall
many discussions in our seminar classes that were seeking to answer this very
question: What is the role of the Arts in our society? For purposes of this
writing, I use "Art" to mean music, dance, theatre, fine art, and
literature.

Dear Friends,

Art for Arts' Sake