This line from THE HOBBIT was conceived in the trenches of WWI by J.R.R Tolkien which began a series of books that are considered to be among the greatest of twentieth century literature(and I concur). It was the catalyst for new beginnings for the author. I feel like I am reaching new beginnings. I will be in Maine this weekend performing and I will be in Milwaukee performing and lecturing to students in early December. I feel blessed and privileged to do so. Why is Music Education so undervalued in America? Don't people realize that it is JUST as important as Mathematics and Science? Music IS Science! Music IS Mathematics! If we ever stop thinking about the Arts we LOSE something! There are certain parts of the brain that need to be utilized and I think that Music, Art, Poetry, Dance, and Theatre supplies the necessary catalyst for the soul to fly, for the sprit to create, for the mind to dance. We lose that and we lose a part of our collective unconscious, as Jung would say. I have said it before and I will say it many times more: Art MATTERS. BKT