By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Having an administrator who is sympathetic to the arts could be a lifesaver for music programs that are now threatened by a new federal law. The "No Child Left Behind" Act, signed by President Bush last January, mandates more testing in English and math. For the first time, the law officially defines music and other arts as "core" subjects - which is good news to arts advocates. But more testing means even more competition for scheduling and resources. Unless a district makes adequate progress in test scores, it can lose federal funding.

"I hope the arts are not left behind," says Cheviot School music teacher Michael Folz, whose band, launched with money from VH1 Save the Music, shares the gym with the basketball team.

Mr. Folz has reason to be worried. Because of "No Child Left Behind," districts are winnowing courses down to the basics, says Michael Blakeslee, deputy director of the National Association for Music Education (MENC), a 96,000-member service organization for music teachers.

In many poorly performing public schools, students must pass standardized tests before they can take choir. Dangling music as a reward for good test scores is nothing new.

"The old expression was pass or play, which could be music or sports," Mr. Blakeslee says.

Nevertheless, nationally he sees parents, students and administrators who are clamoring for a balanced school day that includes music. "They're saying, `We don't want to predicate our kids' future on a limited series of pencil and paper tests,' " he says.

Further, a decade of growth in music programs and new research showing the connection between music and academics have gradually convinced administrators to keep music in their schools. Joe Libis, school coordinator of West Clermont's new Institute of Performing Arts, says that his administration is convinced of the connection between music and good marks on tests.

"Some of our most motivated, high-achieving students are also in the arts," he says.

No one has to convince Withrow High School junior Melvin Lewis, 16, who plays the clarinet.

"It's just something for me to express myself. It's fun and creative. I've been doing it for seven years now, and I enjoy it a lot," he says.