Last night I attended a performance of “The Barber of Seville”, the opening night of Houston Grand Opera’s 2011-2012 season. As I flipped through the pages of the program, I read an article on the opera’s composer, Gioacchino Rossini, and learned that he composed the opera I was about to experience before he reached the age of 25. A young Rossini, who was accepted into a conservatory at the age of 13, went on to become one of the most prolific and successful composers in musical history. The thing that strikes me is that had Rossini been born in the last 50 years, I might not have been able to enjoy the genius of his work…because he would have been more “educated” by the modern day definition.
I often wonder about the system we use to educate our children today, and whether it actually recognizes and nurtures the gifts that children possess from the moment they are born. Don’t get me wrong…I’m a proponent of having quality education available to all children. But I wonder if through our structure of standardized testing and curriculums that we fail to identify the Rossini-types of today? Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in the field of education and innovation, gives a compelling argument in his 2007 TED Talk that education in fact kills creativity.
The disadvantage of creating an education system designed for the masses is that it easily caters to the average. In an effort to not leave too many students behind, we often fail to provide an environment to those who truly excel in fields of their natural talent. A mathematical genius is held back because some kids in class have trouble mastering long division. The aspiring poet has to spend hours annotating in the margins of historical fiction. A promising composer might be measured by whether he can master an instrument, march in a band or sing in a choir. There is little time given outside of the classroom to explore with innovative mentors.
I’m not sure what the answer is. But I know that as is true with many conundrums in our lives, the solution lies somewhere in the realm of leadership. As parents, educators and political leaders, we must find a way to provide education to the masses, while not glossing over the likes of Rossini who live among us. We need to allow natural talent to flourish because it builds children who are confident in their abilities, and willing to stretch their minds. We need to be mentors to those who need guidance and support to achieve the potential of their natural talents.
I have no idea if a young Rossini was good in social studies class. If he had been forced to go through today’s modern education system, he might have graduated from a wonderful European university, been able to recite more facts about world history, or manipulate algebraic formulas as well as the average 25-year old. But frankly, I’m far more grateful that he learned how to shape musical phrases, resolve the flowing runs of a coloratura soprano, and synchronize centuries of the human heartbeat to the rhythm of an orchestra.
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