Lorie Mafield
Occupation: Psychometrist
From: Boswell, Somerset County
How Has Music Education Impacted Your Life?
Music, (French horn, trumpet, flute) along with a wonderful art program kept me in school. I was lucky to
have teachers willing to push me, in all subjects, as I was generally bored. I can't imagine what may have
gone sour in my life. But music gave me quiet time, creative thinking, boisterous-controlled chaos with
friends, to share ideas that no one else understood. Competition and camaraderie. It wasn't until I became
older that I learned of the cognitive requirements and therefore, the benefits of music. Playing, listening. Both
sides of the brain. Hand-eye coordination. Timing. In marching band- walking, playing, counting, balance,
awareness of your surroundings, (not knocking over your neighbor or tripping on the divots on the field or the
horse poo in the parade), endurance-physical and mental. I have, recently, learned of a non-profit program,
Music and Memory, that is showing promising-though, to me, not surprising- benefits to older &/or memory
impaired, or bored-bed-ridden patients. Music holds our memories. Like the smell of new crayons takes me
back to kindergarten, Bette Midlers' "The Rose" takes me back to singing with 3 of my dearest friends that I
haven't seen in years. It is a wonderful, life-long memory. House-cleaning is much better with Herb Alpert! In
working with a psychologist that does testing for OVR, I have noticed a disproportionate lack of any
instrumental music students referred. Only once! Test anxiety! It has been my experience that musicians,
(the 'arts'-in general- writers, painting, drawing, etc) are unwilling -sometimes afraid, to fail. Or even to accept
"good enough". Music, especially instrumental, creates broader thought processing across all of life. One
type may relax someone. Another may break through a wall of social isolation or misunderstanding. I may
not understand the Greek language but I would love to learn the folk dances! Or Russian. Or...any! Music
has allowed myself and my children to travel-to see people, places and things we might not have even
known existed. I, personally, don't care for 'scream-o', and other ...angry?..music, (and I am, admittedly, hard
pressed to call it that)but I would rather someone be able to vent frustration that way than, perhaps, in some
criminal act. Concussions seem rare, as well. What would happen to ballet? Broadway? Radio? Those long
drives, elevator rides, waiting on the phone...? Why does it feel, again- to me, that 'we' are actually trying to
dummy-down our entire country? Manners, consideration, social interaction, (texting to your date-across the
table?). Taking away music lessons, availability of instruments, art programs, even cursive writing is already
detrimental to our educational system. Which becomes a breeding ground of bored, uneducated,
unemployable, UNMOTIVATED(why bother-there is no joy) citizens. Music, still, brings me joy. Even if my
current physical issues are severe, listening to my son play his guitar for me, or my other son play his
trumpet, or my daughter glow with pride after playing her French horn. And, I can still pick up a horn and
play. My football career is over.
Olivia Yoder
Occupation: Student
From: Boswell, Somerset County
How Has Music Education Impacted Your Life?
Music has impacted my life completely! Its a special and different way to express your feelings and emotions.
It gives opportunities that only come through music. It requires patience and time to progress, but its worth it.
Music takes time and effort, but when a group of musicians come together its amazing.
Brianna Richey
Occupation: Student
From: Davidsville, Somerset County
How Has Music Education Impacted Your Life?
I've had a lot of trouble over the years finding who I was and what it was that made me happy. I was always
struggling with this lack of interest in anything. Yet every marching band season, I found myself thriving.
When it was over, I depended on concert band to be what got me through my day. As my own personal
issues grew worse, I found myself clinging to music as that last hope. When I got to 10th grade, and I
experienced my first PMEA festival, that's when I knew exactly who I was. I was a musician. Spending every
moment slaving over this music would've seemed irritating to most of my friends, but I enjoyed every second.