By Pamela Minns
When I look back, there are several memorable movies that I have watched over the year. “Seabiscuit” was one, “Fly Away Home” was another – both of them based on true stories. 
But one of my all-time favourites was released in 1995. It starred the award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss and was entitled “Mr. Holland’s Opus”.
The story in the movie spanned several decades, gave us a review of some of our world history, and a fascinating account of a music composer who reluctantly accepted a teaching position to support his family, and in that position he found his true passion in life as a music teacher.
He engaged the imagination of his students through music. He made a difference to his kids. They all loved him and remembered the guidance and inspiration that he had given them long after they left school.
All of this was wonderful until the school board cancelled the drama and music programs because of financial cutbacks, and Mr. Holland was put out to pasture. He argued with the board, not for his job, but for the loss to his students, saying; “Pretty soon they will have nothing to write about….”
The movie inspired Grammy-winning composer Michael Kamen to establish the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to make musical instruments available to children. The foundation identifies schools in the United States that are in need of instruments. Leading manufacturers donate instruments in an effort to spark donations of used equipment by the public.
What a story this is, and there is a huge lesson to be learned here!
Where will our community, our province and indeed our country be in the future without arts and culture – without the inspiration, innovation and creativity these important subjects supply. School is to teach our children to think, not just about reading, writing and arithmetic, but to bring the wonderful ideas and talents out of them that are dormant inside, just waiting for some inspiration to make it all a reality!
We need to think seriously about Mr. Holland’s remarks – without arts and culture “pretty soon they will have nothing to write about. …”
We have to stop letting money make all our decisions for us. This thinking is shaping an undesirable society and a legacy for future generations that will return to haunt us all. We need to think about the kind of world we are leaving behind for our children and grandchildren. Yours and mine!
Pamela Minns is a resident of Thorold, Ontario and longtime advocate for protecting and preserving heritage sites across our greater Niagara region.
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