Re: Joe Howry’s Jan. 20 essay, “Music man’s talented gift”:

With interest I read Mr. Howry’s account of enjoying the Symphonic Adventures Student Concert sponsored by the New West Symphony. Boris Brott is indeed a gifted conductor and educator. The New West Symphony has always exhibited a deep dedication to music education for the young people of Ventura County.

Mr. Howry is correct that arts education, particularly music, is sometimes relegated to a lesser position in school curricula. The Ventura Music Festival, for which I am the educational outreach chair, shares a commitment to bring music education to elementary school-aged children.

VMF’s educational program is titled “Music In the Schools” and offers to children in grades 3 through 5 a lively interactive, multimedia experience. The festival’s artistic director, Nuvi Mehta, conducts these on-site presentations himself at schools in Ventura, Meiners Oaks and Oxnard, for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ventura and Oxnard and this year at Casa Pacifica. These are free of charge due to the generosity of festival donors.

This year youngsters will explore “What is Harmony?” and learn more about famous American composer George Gershwin. This is the fifth year that “Music In The Schools” has brought learning and great music to eager young people. In addition to school visits, the Ventura Music Festival has sponsored an educational insert in The Star for the last two years.

We join with Mr. Howry in supporting a rich and varied arts and music education for children. While basic education is essential, so also art, music, dance and drama are important for growing, curious young minds.

— Mary Braitman, Ventura