I just found this article called, "Why Instrumental Music Can't Survive in Schools as a "Fun" Class." BRMS is proud to have the exact type of music department that this writer describes as successful for the students in many ways.
"Just because students can opt out of music shouldn’t change the way it is delivered. When taught well with a high expectation for all students, music is more engaging and fun than many other subjects. Students can’t quit math or English if it isn’t “fun”, and the same should go for music. Of course it is true that many teachers feel the need to “entertain” their classes in order to retain students, but that should be done by creating a culture of excellence, not watering down instruction due to a fear of scaring kids away.
Instrumental music is an amazing addition to school curricula when it is taught masterfully and supported by administration and parents. In order for music to stand up with the other core academic subjects, it must be taught with rigor and a professional-level expectation of children, musically and otherwise. Music is not sustainable as a class if it is mediocre — it will only be “fun” that way for a short period of time, and then most students will quit because they don’t feel they are getting better and they are not a part of something “bigger” than themselves.
Knowing what we now know about brain development and how children learn, it is unfair for us to teach music without the mindful rigor it deserves. It is only when students experience firsthand how to become great at something that music education will truly be “fun”."