In America, large festivals began in Boston, with one given by the Handel and Haydn Society in 1857, and one in Worcester, Mass., in 1858. Among the oldest festivals in the United States is the one held in Worcester that began in 1871. Music is often thought of by the population as being a subject of the emotions, as displayed from the Civil War Memorial festival, to the peace and love festival at Woodstock. But music is so much more than pure emotion. Music is a thinking subject.
Music is taught through sequencing.
Sequencing is logic. Some of the concepts taught through music help develop our critical thinking skills, a process that is mandatory to succeed in life. There is empirical proof through studies that the more fine arts training given to a student, especially in the early developing years, the more proficient they become. This proficiency has been found in language skills, processing complex information, in higher order thinking skills and, in fact, in achieving higher test scores in all core curriculum subjects. Music in one form or another has played an important role in the academic and social life of Holy Cross.