Those groups give students opportunities outside school, but they cost money to join. This is not hearsay. On the other hand, our enrollment is healthy and has grown. Interlochen reports an 11 percent increase in inquiries over the past five years for its summer music program. Downing said the boost might be a sign that parents are searching for more varied activities.
Parents do look critically at more and more options out there.
The arts are good. They don't hurt. But they can be consuming. On the day before the recent Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Solo and Ensemble Festival, which has seen 8 percent more entries just since 1999, Dean spent 11 hours on music. He won first place in the music category.