Students, teachers invite you to free show to save the arts

By Pat Hatfield and Jeff Shepherd
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 27, 2009 - 8:53:05am

Some say arts education is a frill. Very few students find careers painting, singing, or acting. They argue schools should focus on math and science, language skills and social studies.

Others believe study of the arts develops skills needed in today’s work force: teamwork, creativity and innovation.

Dr. Monty R. Musgrave, performing-arts specialist with Volusia County Schools, is one who believes students learn much by experiences in the arts.

Volusia County Schools drama teachers Stacy Pape, Jenny Sejansky, Kendra Blazi and Kevin Kearney feel the same way. So, along with Musgrave, they are coordinating a showcase of public-school students in the arts. It will take the stage at DeLand High School on Friday, March 6.

“Volusia County Schools Performing Arts Showcase” will show the public why arts in the schools are important.

“It will show the public not only what talented students we have, but what they learn by being in arts. There’s a lot the public doesn’t know about,” Musgrave said.

Drama students, for example, increase their vocabularies, reading fluency and comprehension. Students involved in drama, art or music score higher on SATs and other tests than students who aren’t.

The Performing Arts Showcase will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the DHS auditorium. Admission is free.

The program will consist of about 20 acts, plus short videotaped interviews with students talking about the importance of art in their lives. Montages of student-created visual art will be shown. The entertainment will run for 90 action-packed minutes.

Musgrave and arts teachers believe it is possible funding for arts classes could be eliminated, in these times of financial strain.

“It’s not about saving the arts,” Musgrave said. “It’s about saving education, of which the arts are an integral part.”

With the Volusia school district looking at another $60 million in cuts for the next school year, in addition to the $60 million already cut over the past 18 months or so, Musgrave is concerned.

“I know the school district values the arts,” he said, “but they value athletics and technical programs, too.”

The state requires only one credit in fine art to graduate from high school. No art is required in middle school. That could make the arts an easy target for cuts.

That reality brought arts teachers together. They issued a call across the county, and got students involved in the showcase from DeLand, Pine Ridge, Mainland, Atlantic, Seabreeze, Spruce Creek, Deltona and New Smyrna high schools, and from DeLand and Silver Sands middle schools, as well as from Freedom and George Marks elementary schools.

By putting on the show for free, the teachers hope to reach as many people as possible with their message.

“We will ask to take up a donation only to pay for some production costs,” DeLand High School drama teacher Sejansky said.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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