HINESBURG, Vt., March 24 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hosted his 4th annual student choral concert Saturday evening at Champlain Valley Union High School. The concert was part of Sanders’ town meeting on arts education, and showcased choruses from seven Vermont schools.
“In addition to hearing beautiful choral music from very talented students from seven Vermont schools, this annual event serves as a reminder of the invaluable importance of art and music education,” said Sanders, who serves on the Senate education committee.
The Vermont schools that participated in the concert were Bellows Free Academy Fairfax, Essex High School, South Burlington High School, Barre City Middle School, Spaulding High School, St. Michael’s College and Stowe Elementary School. In all, more than 200 students participated.
Prior to the concert, Sanders spoke with students and teachers about the importance of arts education in our public schools. “Study after study has shown that access to quality arts and music education not only increases overall academic achievement, but it can also give students avenues to success that they might not otherwise have,” Sanders said. “Quite literally, art and music education can make a tremendous difference in a student’s life.”
The student concert was conducted by Aimee Bushey, South Burlington High School’s chorus instructor.
“The gift of music education in our public schools cannot be underestimated,” Bushey said. “We are giving generations of students the tools to be thoughtful, creative, compassionate, and able to engage with their ever-changing world in ways that elevate the human spirit.”
