I spent most of my personal time during childhood studying music: piano lessons, violin lessons, orchestra rehearsals and then Youth Symphony, which led to concert performances and recitals, and of course, more practice and more lessons.

At 15, my parents allowed me to travel with a group of kids from Stevenson Intermediate to perform in the Soviet Union, where ball-point pens and Beatles records sold on the black market. Upon arrival, our adult chaperones were sent to Moscow, while the children stayed in Leningrad (now once again St. Petersburg). It could have been a huge mess for the State Department, but with classical music and Beatles songs as our common language, we all had a great time. Music allowed us to bridge our differences, and music education teaches students to express themselves and to do so in universal languages of the arts.

It is an invaluable asset. It teaches kids to work out complex problems, it demands critical thinking, and players learn how they can maintain personal artistic expression, yet set aside the ego to work as team members. Young people exposed to this type of environment grow up to appreciate the rewards of cooperative efforts.

Matthew Martin, band director at Sacred Hearts Academy, said he has seen students struggle academically until they find success in band and go on to do well in other subjects and perform better on college-admission tests like the ACT and SAT. "Band covers a whole variety of things. I think some really essential tools in life are taught; skills like time management, social skills and creativity," he said. "I hope that through band and the arts, students are taught to be lifelong learners."

Clark Bright, director of bands at Kamehameha Schools, says music, especially when played with others, helps students get through life's trials and successes. "Learning an instrument, and especially being in a band, helps you to approach any life situation with discipline," he said.

This discipline and collaboration was evident at this year's Aloha Festivals, which included many student bands, each one unique, and all performing brilliantly. One was an all-girl band. Another was a group of middle school kids. They played their hearts out in the scorching heat and, hopefully, went home to a parent or two who recognized what their children had achieved.

The level of self discipline, commitment, and focus it takes to play an instrument well enough to play in a marching band or an orchestra is an activity no less important than sports. As Clark put it, "Being in a marching band really teaches you teamwork. There it's not about individual performance, but everyone has to work together."

Visit http://www.ARTS.pacificnetwork.tv/MusicAndDance and http://www.arts.pacificnetwork.tv/LifeIsGood/ to see more on music education.