The phenomenon of children playing music in the United States remains an unsolved mystery to me, having grown up in a post-Soviet Union country. I believe we used the wrong and sometimes harsh teaching methods in music schools. These methods were not motivating at all; instead, they felt more like torture and were often useless. Everything was oriented towards professionalism and academic rigor, but there was no room for passion and joy for the students. For most of them, seven years of learning felt like a lost opportunity for a joyful life, even if they were not aiming for a career in music.
Even more disheartening, after finishing those often torturous studies in music school, they did not play as well as beginners in the United States. When I first arrived in the U.S., I was surprised to see children playing in orchestras. They achieved the same goals faster, more easily, and performed even better than we did after many years of learning.
Unlike the solitary and competitive environment I experienced, playing in an orchestra teaches kids to work together towards a common goal, enhancing their social skills and sense of belonging. Additionally, the joy and passion for music are nurtured in a supportive environment, making the learning process enjoyable and fulfilling.
The approach of not having specialized music schools in the U.S., and instead integrating music education into the general school curriculum or offering it through community programs, seems to cultivate a more balanced and enthusiastic attitude towards music. This allows children to explore their musical interests without the pressure of rigorous and often joyless training.