Music: How important is it to
your child?

The Tucson Boys Chorus is known throughout the world. Dr. Julian Ackerly, director of the chorus, says that music is important to everybody, not just children. "Giving children the opportunity to develop musical skills is very important in developing the whole individual. We want the humanism factor to be developed in our children, and music is a way to do it," he says. "Music is an opportunity for young people, through a group effort, to work on emotion, compassion and make life better." This is why the Tucson Boys Chorus makes community benefit concerts such an integral part of their curriculum. They take the programs into underdeveloped neighborhoods and show other young people and adults what joy and satisfaction music can bring.

Dr. Ackerly says that in building a successful chorister, you are building a citizen. When he addresses the choristers, he always addresses them as "gentlemen" and with that comes the expectation of gentlemanly behavior. He feels that these small steps build better adults. It is interesting to note that most of the alumni of the Girls and Boys Choruses do not choose music as a life long career. They simply take the education with them to their chosen careers. In this way, our choruses are building the adults of the future. For more information on the Tucson Boys Chorus, call 296-6277