Music remains priority in county schools

Tuesday, May 23, 2000 | 9:30 a.m.

The Clark County School District's elementary music administrative specialist is not surprised by the success of the music education program offered at the House of Blues.

Nancy Schkurman says that area students are prepared early for music appreciation.

"We have one of the best music education programs in the country," she said. "We have sold (our) curriculum to districts in 38 states. Many of our teachers serve as national clinicians, training other schools and districts.

"We are a spark in the elementary music world."

Clark County students begin receiving music education as early as kindergarten in some cases, but in every case in grades 1-5. Every week the elementary students are required to attend a one-hour music class.

Music is an elective class in grades 6-12, but because of the early education almost twice the number of Clark County students choose a music elective in later grades than students do nationwide -- 25 percent here compared with 13 percent in the rest of the country.

While the trend in many other states is to reduce music education or do away with it entirely, Clark County continues to expand -- adding more teachers, more instruments and equipment. It began 25 years ago with four music teachers and today has 163 in just the elementary school program.

Schkurman said that the School Board and the Legislature are committed to music education, providing funds for the instruments, computers and other material necessary for a first-rate program.

She credits the success of the program to superior teachers and to "great vision on the part of the administration and the School Board. They really see a value in arts education."

Schkurman said she believes that music is a vital part of learning.

"It is absolutely critical to a child's holistic development. It provides the kind of experience that not only reinforces academics but also is integrated with rest of the child's learning," she said. "It teaches children to work together, which is extremely critical."

Jerry Fink

is an Accent feature writer. Reach him at jerry@lasvegassun.com or 259-4058.