Q&A with Shari Lewis

Q: Why is music education important for young children?

A: I'm often asked that question and I like to start explaining it by saying that when I'm interviewing a prospective assistant or secretary, my first question is always "Did you ever study a musical instrument?" Mind you, my assistants never make music as part of their daily responsibilities, but I have found that musical training teaches something that is seldom learned in any other manner: namely, that if you stick to what you are trying to do, you will, eventually, "get it."

Most grown-ups are afraid to tackle new projects in unknown territories, but those who have had solid musical education are aware of the fact that you can start out knowing nothing and, with effort, accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Music education can help you learn anything. It builds self-esteem, teaches patience, and is loads of fun.

In addition, children are unblocked. They start out with unprejudiced ears. They like any kind of music as long as it has good energy. Therefore, it is possible to introduce children to a wide variety of musical styles and have them enjoy such materials for their whole lives.

Moving to music helps children develop physical coordination, and even doing simple finger plays helps to develop hand coordination, necessary for writing. Just as kids learn the alphabet through the A-B-C song, they learn other things more easily when they are set to music. They think to music, they feel to music, they physically express themselves to music. When you develop their musical capabilities you are developing their bodies and minds.

Q: Why are you doing a show about music education?

A: Because of the realities of today's life, fewer youngsters are being given any kind of musical training. Music Education is being cut from the curriculum in many, many schools (more than 35% of the music programs in elementary schools have been cut). Private lessons are expensive and kids usually have to be transported to lessons, both causing a burden for many families. Today, for most kids, their main musical encounter is with MTV -- which is not exactly a hands-on experience.

We are raising a generation of spectators. Instead of doing sports, kids are just watching sports. Instead of doing music, they are just listening to music. People who simply sit and watch don't develop a sense of confidence in their ability to do things. However, that "I can do it" feeling is a strong and well-developed instinct in children who have participated in music.

A: My mama was a pianist, a public school music teacher and, later, one of only six music coordinators for the New York City Board of Education. She was also my piano teacher, which was not such a great arrangement. Because she played so well, I was overwhelmed and resisted practice. When the time arrived to pick a high school, my elementary school music teacher, Mrs. Eta Morris, was convinced I belonged at New York's High School of Music and Art. She knew I was clearly musical, but my skill level was very low. For a year, Mrs. Morris gave up her lunch hours to help me improve. Knowing that this relative stranger had such confidence in me was so stimulating that I started practicing. By early spring, I realized that the High School of Music and Art was an achievable goal, and I actually started enjoying practice. Later I played a Mozart sonata and Solfegietto by Philip Emanual Bach for my audition for Music & Art. I was so excited I must have rushed through it because the auditioning teacher asked me "Were you going to a fire?"

Mrs. Morris was right -- Music & Art High School did change my life. A school where everyone felt really good about themselves and their musical achievement was just what I needed and the skills that I acquired there have served me all of my life. My sightreading skills have made all of my television work and conducting of orchestras possible -- and I got to play violin with Jack Benny! Mrs. Morris has retired to Florida and we are often in touch. She is very well aware of the impact she has had on my life -- because I don't let her ever forget.

A. My music work has had a profound effect on my behavior. Most of my basic music training was in the classical field, and I think classical music has very different qualities from contemporary music -- it's more calming, centering and highly stimulating without being jarring. Michael Gelb, author of Body Learning, says that "the key to all learning is the state of the learner," and I think music training provides the child not only with a musical education, but with a heightened ability in other areas of learning as well. The scientific magazines are now full of discoveries indicating that music causes chemical changes in the body, as though it were a real substance being ingested (through the ears, as it were). I feel strongly that this is true.

My music training is reflected in every single thing I do in my personal and professional life. For instance, I don't get frustrated easily because I know that slow, steady progress always yields results. I can center myself emotionally and physically by playing or listening to music. And my comedy is intricately intertwined with my musical ability. Every comic actor will tell you that there is musicality involved in being funny. A joke or comic set-up has "beats" that must be hit or the material doesn't work. Therefore, I approach a script much the same way I would a piece of music.

A. I love a lot of contemporary music including rock 'n' roll, country and jazz. But I do think that kids who are only exposed to the current stuff are not given a chance to graduate from musical illiteracy. In addition, they don't gain the internal benefits that come from the pleasant physical and intellectual discipline that the study of music offers. Plato said it all: "I would teach the children music, physics, and philosophy, but the most important is music, for in the patterns of the arts are the keys to all learning. "

Q: Shari, what is your favorite pizza?

A: Pepperoni with extra cheese.