Music is a part of them. They are the generation whose parents played music to them while in-utero. They grew up watching music videos from Barney to Sesame Street, went to classes called Mommy, Music and Me, watched MTV, had boom-boxes, CDs and I-Pods.

Culturally, they've grown up with the Skaneateles Music Festival literally in their backyards, the Syracuse Symphony plays for them throughout their 12 years in school.

They have the opportunity to participate in or attend yearly school musicals, as well as the Skaneateles Summer Theatre, and have the option to attend extracurricular music programs well before entering elementary school and beyond.

Did they know that there was a link between music and intelligence or that music is instrumental to development of the brain? Do they care that music has a role influencing cognitive development, learning and wellness? Did they sign up for band in fourth grade because they knew it would help them in math and reading?

Hardly.

This is how many of them feel about music #( and the school is listening.

“If there were no orchestra, a part of me that's here right now would be missing.” - Ryan Callahan.

“Music swims in our blood and with this blessing comes a need for more.” - Ben Mullen.

“Orchestra has taught me many key lessons to overcome challenges in life.” - Joel Coleman.

“Music in my life is an extremely strong driving force.” - Shane Aserud

“If there were no orchestra, the whole world would be missing its rhythm.” - Sara Main

Students in band and chorus feel the same way.

These deeply felt comments were taken from an article, “So Why Do We Need a High School Orchestra, Anyway?#” by Lori Rhulman, Skaneateles information officer. They were part of a lecture recital where orchestra director Karen Veverka showcased how they might work on technique, balance, and transition during rehearsal. Veverka used the comments to show how skills like listening, expressing emotion, connections and rhythms learned in orchestra apply to everyday life.

Veverka took her group to the 71st annual NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester earlier in December, where she showed music educators how the lecture recital format enhances a music program.

It's teachers like this and the unique methods they use that instill that love of music that fuels their thirst for more.

Beginning in kindergarten, they are continually immersed in a lively hands on musical program from a dynamic teacher, Dick Cangemi. Used regularly during schoolwide morning meetings and classroom activities, music has earned its revered spot early on.

By the time they enter third grade, after a demonstration of all instruments, more than half enroll in the orchestra program. In fourth grade nearly the other half enrolls in band and many overlap into chorus, too.

Veverka started in the '90s in a very part-time elementary position and has seen the growth and change. At the time, one teacher taught lessons in three buildings as well as all rehearsals, until she proposed the changes that began a large swell in the music program.

And numbers have grown considerably since.

At that time, H.S. orchestra had 15 or so and has grown to 30, elementary orchestra and band both have tripled to around 120 each, high school band has added 15 chairs to reach 85 this year, M.S. chorus is at about 130 total between the various select groups, etc., and the combined H.S. Choral groups hover at just a bit less, but if you've ever heard them sing, they have amazing tone and reach and rival professional groups.

The music teachers in the district focus on quality, rather than numbers, and they agree; the numbers fall into place when they focus on solid teaching, give students opportunities to grow and reach new abilities, and ultimately allow the students to feel the joy in performing to a wide variety of audiences. Without the joy, there is little hope they will follow through with their musical gifts to H.S., college and beyond.

“If someone took away my instruments, I would feel like they took away my air,” said ninth-grade band student Brianna Adams.

The district is hearing this. Music Boosters is growing and providing through fund-raising and parent/teacher support, the Skaneateles Symphony Guild provides concert exposure, gives money for supplies and scholarships, and the new superintendent, Philip D'Angelo Jr., just secured a $28,885 music grant initiated by state Sen. John DeFrancisco, R- Syracuse, to buy instruments for all four buildings.

During the grant process D'Angelo asked for a larger amount to cover music, science and technology equipment and it was the much needed music portion that was granted - perhaps due to the senator's love of music and Skaneateles#, reputation for music cultivation and appreciation.

Either way, the students win.

Ann Adams lives and writes in Skaneateles