On Monday night while the Burlington School Board will be meeting to, once again, discuss budgeting for the 2010-2011 school year, four Burlington High School graduates (Kadie Farber, flute, '08; Brooke Hendricks, baritone saxophone, '08; Alisha Orth, alto saxophone, '08; and Eric Wozniak, trumpet, '09) will be performing in concert at the University of Iowa's concert band program under the direction of Kevin Kastens.

Their appearance in that concert is a direct result of their training received in our schools -- music education training. These four college students are just four of thousands of students who have benefited directly from our vocal, band and orchestra music programs education.

Music is not a luxury, but core to our educational system. Music gives a student an opportunity to participate in school where they may be unlikely to participate in any other capacity. With music education and participation, nobody is cut from the team and nobody sits on the bench and never plays.

Unlike other subjects, music education results in a lifelong skill that a student takes with him/her throughout his/her life.

Music education and the talent it develops help many students gain admission to and scholarships from the college of their choice.

And, finally, music education increases a student's connection to his/her school and community.

Music education is our life-blood, for which we cannot afford to be bled dry.

MARGARET J. WOZNIAK

Burlington