Mike Huckabee's
News Column
Subj: Play It Again Arkansas
Can you imagine if Albert Einstein had never
gotten his hands on a book? Or if Pablo Picasso
had never seen an easel? What if Elvis Presley
had never owned a guitar?
News Column
Subj: Play It Again Arkansas
Can you imagine if Albert Einstein had never
gotten his hands on a book? Or if Pablo Picasso
had never seen an easel? What if Elvis Presley
had never owned a guitar?
That's why we've created "Play It Again, Arkansas." Modeled after a Memphis program, this is the first statewide initiative in the nation
that seeks to put musical instruments in the hands of kids whose families can't afford them.
The premise of the program is simple: Arkansans are asked to donate their used instruments to schools, which can then provide
them to students. Our goal is to make sure that every kid who wants to play, can play.
Why? Because it's wrong that musical instruments are gathering dust in attics across Arkansas while needy children can't afford to
be in the band or orchestra.
In Memphis, organizers raised $60,000 and collected 350 instruments in one two-day radiothon. We're hoping to double that with a
statewide blitz Sept. 12, but you don't have to wait until then to donate. We're working with band directors across the state now to
collect instruments for needy students.
Research shows that a music education teaches students skills they can use in other academic disciplines. In Greenwood, Miss., a
1992 study showed a group of students who studied piano all scored at least 10 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test in
several areas. In the south Bronx, one school found students with four years of music and the arts scored 34 points higher on verbal
SATs and 18 points better on math SATs than those who took music for less than one year. Little Rock's Colaianni Piano and Organ
Co. found in a survey that 95 percent of 500 private piano students in Central Arkansas were A or B students.
But music is about more than just test scores. It teaches kids that they can learn and excel, and that practice really does make
perfect. It allows them to be creative while teaching them how to work with other people.
Throughout American history, music has been one of the best paths from poverty to prosperity. It's entirely possible that in our midst
is a future star who will never get to shine without Play It Again. But even if there's no budding Elvis Presley in Arkansas, how many
kids will get scholarships or go on to careers teaching music because of this initiative?
Many of the kids we'll help through Play It Again have never had the advantages their classmates have had. Many started out behind
in school and decided they weren't as smart as their peers. Putting a musical instrument in their hands will help them discover they
have talents they never knew existed. It will show them that they are special and that they do matter. It will give them confidence that
they can be as good as anyone else, and they'll apply that to other courses of study and other areas of life.
Within every child is a little bit of Einstein, a little Picasso, a little Elvis. They are all scientists, artists and showmen. Giving them the
chance to learn that about themselves is part of what education is all about. And that's what we're doing through Play It Again.
To donate an instrument or money, or for more information, contact your local school band program or call toll-free at
1-888-439-PLAY.
that seeks to put musical instruments in the hands of kids whose families can't afford them.
The premise of the program is simple: Arkansans are asked to donate their used instruments to schools, which can then provide
them to students. Our goal is to make sure that every kid who wants to play, can play.
Why? Because it's wrong that musical instruments are gathering dust in attics across Arkansas while needy children can't afford to
be in the band or orchestra.
In Memphis, organizers raised $60,000 and collected 350 instruments in one two-day radiothon. We're hoping to double that with a
statewide blitz Sept. 12, but you don't have to wait until then to donate. We're working with band directors across the state now to
collect instruments for needy students.
Research shows that a music education teaches students skills they can use in other academic disciplines. In Greenwood, Miss., a
1992 study showed a group of students who studied piano all scored at least 10 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test in
several areas. In the south Bronx, one school found students with four years of music and the arts scored 34 points higher on verbal
SATs and 18 points better on math SATs than those who took music for less than one year. Little Rock's Colaianni Piano and Organ
Co. found in a survey that 95 percent of 500 private piano students in Central Arkansas were A or B students.
But music is about more than just test scores. It teaches kids that they can learn and excel, and that practice really does make
perfect. It allows them to be creative while teaching them how to work with other people.
Throughout American history, music has been one of the best paths from poverty to prosperity. It's entirely possible that in our midst
is a future star who will never get to shine without Play It Again. But even if there's no budding Elvis Presley in Arkansas, how many
kids will get scholarships or go on to careers teaching music because of this initiative?
Many of the kids we'll help through Play It Again have never had the advantages their classmates have had. Many started out behind
in school and decided they weren't as smart as their peers. Putting a musical instrument in their hands will help them discover they
have talents they never knew existed. It will show them that they are special and that they do matter. It will give them confidence that
they can be as good as anyone else, and they'll apply that to other courses of study and other areas of life.
Within every child is a little bit of Einstein, a little Picasso, a little Elvis. They are all scientists, artists and showmen. Giving them the
chance to learn that about themselves is part of what education is all about. And that's what we're doing through Play It Again.
To donate an instrument or money, or for more information, contact your local school band program or call toll-free at
1-888-439-PLAY.
| "Little Rock's Colaianni Piano and Organ Co. found in a survey that 95 percent of 500 private piano students in Central Arkansas were A or B students." Mike Huckabee |
Children can't develop their talents if they're never given a chance to discover them.
| The former Arkansas governor and one-time presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee |
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"The Steinway piano is the most
harmonious implement for musical intention. It completes
what is beautiful and artistic." Yefim Bronfman
harmonious implement for musical intention. It completes
what is beautiful and artistic." Yefim Bronfman
