"Music in the Parks . . . An exemplary program

By Linda Mack and John Burley

Linda Mack, director of the Music in the Parks chorus and vocal/choral skills program, is a former choral director from Bloom Township High School District 206 and has served as assistant conductor of the Park Forest Singers, a community chorus specializing in small masterworks. She holds degrees in Music Education from Illnois State University and the University of Illinois and is currently pursuing the Ed.D. degree at the University of Illinois. Dr. John M. Burley, director of the Music in the Parks instrumental program, has served as assistant professor of music at Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio, and as director of the Fine Arts Division at Centennial High School in Champaign, III. He is currently assistant professor of music and assistant to the director at the University of Illinois.

Everyone knows that music is one of our greatest cultural inheritances. Why then is this inheritance denied individuals unless they claim it by the time they are ten years old? The issue being addressed is the erroneous historical acceptance that adults are somehow not capable of learning a new skill—specifically that of learning to perform on a musical instrument.

The Music in the Parks Program, sponsored by the U of I and the Champaign Park District, offers a look at one successful effort to establish and maintain a series of quality musical experiences designed to appeal to the adult learner.

In December of 1978 a study of adult instrumental instruction was begun to see what level of performance an adult could attain in an introductory series of lessons. The Champaign Park District granted use of its Meeting Center and helped in the recruitment of twenty-four adult participants, selected on a first-come-first-served basis. Instruction was provided on five wind instruments: trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. Individuals with prior experience with any of these instruments were excluded from the study. Instruction was given twice weekly for an hour and a half. After the fifteenth lesson each student performed one selection of his choice on tape. These tapes were evaluated by three instrumental music teachers using the NIMAC rating scale. The results of the project were surprisingly successful. At the end of the project in March of 1979, all but three of the participants elected to continue their weekly rehearsals and instructional sessions. That summer, members from the original group approached the instructor about a summer band program. An eight week continuation of instruction for most of the original students and a number of other adults, who wished to join was provided. Nearly all of the new members were recruited through the enthusiastic endorsement of the program by the original band members. The new participants had prior experience with their instruments although many had not actively performed for a number of years (as much as twenty years in some cases). The highlight of that summer's band program was participation in the July 4 celebration.

In the fall of 1979 we once again offered the adult band instruction, this time for a period of ten weeks. At this time several others joined our group. In January of 1980 negotiations were entered into with the Champaign Park District and the University of Illinois with the purpose of obtaining joint sponsorship. An agreement was reached and the "Music in the Parks" program was born. Recruitment of new members and administrative assistance was provided by the Champaign Park District. Rehearsal facilities, music, and university student helpers were provided by the University of Illinois. The university students were able to gain hours of participation toward their "Early Field Experience" requirement. At this time a new beginners group was formed. This group followed the basic structure for the most part, of the original experimental group. Plans were also developed to offer a series of lessons for those adults who wished to study piano.

Future trends in population prediction indicate that the age group between 35 and 44 will increase by 12 million in the next ten years and by 29 million by the year 2000. Students between the ages of 14 and 17, however, will decrease by 2 million in the next 10 years and 4 million by the year 2000.¹

This data seems to suggest that the need for public music instructors will decline even further while the opportunity to provide adult instruction increases. The implications for music education seem clear; the inference being the opportunities for community band programs, especially those developed for that segment of the population who have never played a musical instrument and for those who are interested in regaining their skill, are especially promising.

In January 1980 the Music in the Parks program expanded to

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 May/June 1981

include a class in vocal-choral skills for adult beginners. The course, which began as an eight-week program and is currently offered on a semester basis; provides instruction in basic music reading, sight-singing, and vocal technique. Participants have ranged in age from 20 to 75, and represent a wide variety of social and educational backgrounds and professions.

The Music in the Parks program expanded again to include a community chorus during the summer of 1980 when the graduates of the original vocal-chorus skills class expressed the desire to continue singing together. The group performs locally, specializing in popular and sentimental favorites.

As a highlight to the regular program, the Illinois Opera Theatre Chorus is another Music in the Parks offering comprised of approximately 24 community members and university students who perform as the onstage chorus for university opera productions.

We, as educators, have a unique opportunity to help pave the way for the adult learner to experience a joyful encounter with music. Motivation, for example, can be seen as intrinsic for the adult, a volunteer learner who does not have to be "sold" on the value of music. This opens up more time and energy for the instructor to guide, direct and encourage as many maximum quality musical experiences designed for built-in success as possible.

Never too young to learn

In using the term "built-in success", it is meant simply that by coupling the actual music instruction with sensitivity to individuals in terms of ability level and learner self-concept, the music educator can insure that the adult learner will have a better chance to experience the joy and fulfillment of musical achievement.

So, at the end of nearly two years since its inception, the Music in the Park program has grown to include a band and two choruses as well as classes in beginning instrumental and vocal skills. The Music in the Parks program serves as an example of how adults are being given the opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of learning about and making music together. Charles Leonhard has stated that: the public schools are having in financing a music program, means that the time has come to broaden the clientele for the music program to include young adults, people of middle age and senior citizens. This must be accompanied by a comparable broadening of the base of financial support to include not only school districts, but also city, township and county governments, art councils, park districts and recreation commissions in cooperative sponsorship of a comprehensive music program designed to appeal to the musical interests and aspirations of the total population."²

Delicate fingers -- delicate sounds!

In view of the evidence seen in terms of declining enrollments and population shifts, it should be apparent that the need for programs like "Music in the Parks" is present and will continue to grow.

As "lifelong learning" becomes a more vital and relevant aspect of the total spectrum of music education, we must prepare ourselves to better accommodate the total population in terms of musical opportunities. It is the responsibility of the music education profession and Parks and Recreation boards to ensure that "lifelong learning in music" is a viable option for persons of all ages.

1 "Projection of the Population of the U.S.; 1977 to 2050" U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bureau of the Census, series P-25, #704, July 1977.

2 Charles Leonhard, address to North Plains Arts in Education Festival, U. of North Dakota, Fargo, North Dakota, April 17, 1978.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 May/June 1981