Dear Esteemed Music Educators,

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In the heart of our musical journey lies a simple yet transformative practice: Listening to Music.

Unfortunately, while we all acknowledge its importance, it's often treated as just an occasional recommendation by teachers. This may be because we assume students listen to music in their daily lives, or perhaps because there isn't enough time during costly private lessons, which last only 30-60 minutes. Despite our dedicated efforts in teaching young learners to master musical instruments, a foundational piece is missing. This oversight becomes starkly evident when we confront the numerous problems stemming from students’ disengagement with music outside the classroom.

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• More than half of students who pass Grade 8 attend fewer than 2 classical concerts annually, know less than 5 composers, and do not regularly engage with classical music.

• 90% of young instrument learners, especially those between ages 5–10, do not regularly listen to music due to lack of personal devices and a non-musical home environment.

• Many students struggle to connect with music beyond nursery rhymes and popular tunes like "Let it Go" and "Baby Shark".

• Several students, even up to intermediate level, struggle with rhythm and cannot identify beats while singing melodies.

The result? Musical performances that remain technically proficient but lack depth in emotional expression, tone variation, and overall musicality. Many students have no clear musical preferences or passions and rely solely on their teachers to select pieces for them, focusing mainly on passing exams. Additionally, some students end up quitting their musical studies altogether, finding it too challenging rhythmically or because this lack of daily, intentional music exposure creates a gap in understanding, feeling the beats, and truly connecting with the music.

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Why is 1 Hour a Day so crucial? As conductor Gustavo Dudamel reminds us, "The true essence of music lies in its ability to evoke emotions and tell a story." Consider the natural musicianship found in cultures where daily life is steeped in rhythm, dance, and song. These communities understand something we’ve begun to overlook: music is as much about listening as it is about playing.

Let us, therefore, embed the 1 Hour a Day initiative into the core of our teaching philosophy. Let’s make it as fundamental as any scale or etude. By doing so, we will ignite their love and understanding of music, transforming their musical journey into a richer and more fulfilling experience.