4 . The arts, especially music, should be part of every school’s lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.

Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive (积极的) to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band. Parents can enjoy listening to their children’s music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.

Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of audiences. Music gives children an opportunity for self-ex pression, and that helps develop their self-confidence. Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their characters. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school.

6 . There will be four concerts that are worth expecting this year. Tickets for each concert are just $59. 95 per person when you order all four events. Here is the complete show information for each concert.

Dean Z-The Ultimate Elvis

August 12-15, 2023

Ticket price: $65. 59

Dean Z is the ultimate Elvis! When Dean was three, “This Is Elvis” was being broadcast on television. He immediately jumped on the coffee table and started imitating Presley’s every move. His newest show, Dean Z-The Ultimate Elvis, is the high point of a life-long career paying tribute (致敬) to the man who will always be known as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley!

December’ 63

August 19-22, 2023

Ticket price: $70. 39

The music of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons comes to life in this unique concert experience. December’ 63 shows favorite songs from Frankie Valli that have been exciting audiences for decades. This recreation (重现) of a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert will have you reaching for the high notes as our performers take you on a musical journey with stops at every phase of their careers!

Piano Men: Generations

August 26-29, 2023

Ticket price: $69. 95

Don’t miss the return of last season’s most popular concert! The amazing father and son team of Terry and Nick Davies celebrate the musical influences of Billy Joel and Elton John. Not only have Billy and Elton written and performed music that has been spread for four decades, but also seated themselves behind the piano! Join Terry and Nick and their incredible band on this journey through their long, successful careers.

Rockin’ Out With Steve Watts

September 9-19, 2023

Ticket price: $73. 69

Fireside favorite Steve Watts and members of the popular Fireside Band bring you a fast-paced, heart pounding concert of Rock and Roll classics to the Fireside stage for two weekends. Steve and the band will play some of his particular favorites from the 1960’s through today including such artists as Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, The Beatles and many more!

8 . In kindergarten, I met my first love—dancing. For the last eleven years, I have spent many hours at the dance studio. The _______ I began as a little girl has shaped my personality, forming _______ that I will have for the rest of my life.

Once while our dance team _______ for the state competition, six senior members quit without notice, leaving our team without a   _______. My team’s enthusiasm for the season was cut in half. _______ , I was determined to become the new captain and lead my team past this obstacle.

During the first practice after the seniors quit, my team’s emotion was_______ . As a leader, I tried to motivate my team through_______ . I started to do _______ work outside practice to improve my kicking technique. My team respected me as a coach because I showed _______. On weekends , I spent hours trying to make up a creative competition routine. I wanted my team members to ________ the dance and perform well.

Before the state meet, I drilled the ________ into the girls’ heads and constantly encouraged them to work together. I would shout out names of people who were ________ well during the dance, and the girls would ________with even more energy. Through my dance experience, I also found I got better by ________ myself. I mixed new skills into the routine for the state competition to ________ my team’s technique. We wanted to prove to ourselves and our school that we could still be a(n)________ dance team without the girls who ________.

On the stage, I felt my team’s ________. I was proud that we were able to rebuild our confidence and go beyond our expectation at the state competition. We were ________ for all our hard work by placing in the top five. This experience taught me a lesson: with a passion for something, I could ________ any obstacle with creativity and determination.

9 . Can you imagine a world without music? Studies show that public schools across the country are cutting back on music classes to save money. Worse, some schools have never had music classes to begin with. But without them,students’ academic growth and emotional health could suffer. In fact, music classes are necessary for all students in schools.

Recent studies by Brown University have shown that students who received music education classes were better in maths and reading skills than those without music classes. Another study by the College Board found that students taking music and art classes got higher points. Students' academic success seems to depend on their taking part in music education.

Music programmes in public schools also help to add to a students sense of pride and self-confidence. Teens today have too many learning tasks. Besides, they have family problems, self-confidence problems, relationship troubles, and other troubles. All of these can stop academic success, but music education can help. A study by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse found that students who took part in school music programmes were less likely to turn to drugs. Music programmes encourage students to work together to produce an excellent performance.

Music crosses language, class, cultural and political boundaries. Music allows students from different countries to connect. For example, at a school talent show, a new Japanese student played a piano duet with an American classmate. Although they could not communicate verbally, they were able to read the music in order to play the duet. Two students from different cultures worked as a team with self-confidence and common purpose through music.

The gift of music is priceless. We need to be sure to have necessary music classes for all students. The world is losing its music, and putting music into schools is the first step to get it back.

10 . Who made the ABC song? Some people say a man named Charles Bradlee made the song. He was the first person to say he owned it. That was in 1834. Bradlee called the song “The Schoolmaster”. A schoolmaster is an old name for a teacher. No one knows where it came from. But we do have some clues.

The ABC song sounds the same as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. It has the same tune, or music. It sounds like “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, too. Try singing each song. Sing them in a row. You can hear for yourself! The tune was first printed in 1761. It didn’t have any words. No one knows who wrote it. Later, a woman wrote the words for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Her name was Jane Taylor. She lived in England. She wrote the words in 1806. Mozart was a very famous composer. He wrote a piece of music in 1785. It sounds a lot like the ABC song!

When the ABC song first became popular, few children went to school. Most people did not learn how to read. They did not learn how to write, either. As time went on, this changed. More people needed to know how to read and write. More children started learning the ABC song. It helped them remember the letters.

Why do we sing the ABC song? We could just read it quietly. Or we could say it without singing. Why is the song partly important? The answer is related to how we learn. Children have always leaned from grown-ups. But 200 year ago, most people couldn’t read or write. Children had to remember things. They could not write down what they learned. They could not read about it later. So it was important to remember. Songs helped people remember. People sang songs that told stories. They taught their children what they knew through songs.

So, no none really knows who made the ABC song. We do know that this song is popular today. Most children who learn to speak English will sing it. Then they will remember their letters!