Fate of string programs uncertain.

Fate of string programs uncertain. WITH BUDGETS CUT TO THE bone, music education programs in manydistricts have been trimmed and even eliminated. Student interest inthem, however, has never been higher. A new study released by theNational String Project Consortium (NSPC) indicates that, just prior tothe economic meltdown, the number of students playing string instrumentshad increased from 18 percent in 1997 to 29 percent in 2009. While thestudy confirms promising news for interest in music education, it alsopredicts a national shortage of string teachers for 2010 through 2013--aloss of 1,000 teachers each year. Other music programs showed nosignificant increase or decrease. "The Status of String and Orchestra Programs in United StatesSchools," released in February 2010, is the result of a May 2009survey of almost 9,000 string and orchestra teachers. According to thestudy, between 2002 and 2009, racial minority enrollment increased to 35percent, a 7 percent increase from 2001. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The future of string programs remains to be seen. Although stringprograms have generally been growing, 66 percent of programs had reducedfunding between the 2003 and 2008 academic years. "The general trend has been up. As expectations around thecountry are going up, playing a string instrument has beenhelpful," says Robert Jesselson, executive director of NSPC anddistinguished professor at the University of South Carolina. "Withthe economy the way it is, it's going to be a whole new ballgame.The odds are up on the chopping block." Jesselson cautions administrators not to cut music programs--inparticular string programs--during these difficult financial times.String instruments, he says, lead to a number of benefits, includinghigher SAT scores, increased self-discipline, reduced absentee rates,and improved math skills. According to the study, over 95 percent ofstring programs are taught during school hours. Jesselson notes thateliminating the programs would only create a demand for other teachersduring those periods. "Building a string program takes a number of years and wouldbe difficult to rebuild," says Jesselson. "It's easy tochop down a tree, but the tree takes a long time to grow." To read the full NSPC report, visit www.stringprojects.org.