The Melody of the Barnett Family

By Heather Redix

Just a short ride outside the Texarkana city limits, at the end of a long red dirt road is a place filled with laughter, love, and learning. As I approach the home of Myron and Laura Barnett and their children, standing at the door are two young girls with bright eyes and broad smiles.

The sound of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and the sweet scent of homemade sugar cookies with mint chocolate chips fill the air, inviting me to sit and stay a while.

Myron and Laura, like many other parents, work hard and want the best for their family. With eleven children total, four of whom are grown, they are still involved in the educational growth of each child.They have successfully homeschooled their children for 20 years. Their oldest child, Adam, graduated college and is working as a business professional, making a living for his own new family. Their next oldest son, Austin, is currently serving our country as a Marine.

There are seven children still living in the Barnett home, some of whom enjoy music like their older siblings. “It began with my oldest, Adam, who preferred to play the saxophone,” Laura explains. “After he learned to play well, he began to express interest in the guitar, so he tried it and has been strumming ever since.”

Looking over at his three-year-old excitingly playing a musical app on his tablet, Myron reminisces, “We saw how well he was doing with the sax and figured that if he can learn to play, then so can the others if they choose. So we granted them the choice, and most of them were interested.”

Alexis, their first-born daughter, has already achieved her bachelor’s degree in cello performance and is working on her master’s degree at the University of North Texas. In between practices and performances, Alexis manages to find time to teach others how to play.

Adina, their second daughter, is studying advertising and public relations at Pensacola Christian College. While at home she received formal instruction in viola, piano, and voice. She continued to use her vocal skills to earn a position with the college covering her tuition. Allen, 16, and Alex, 14, are members of the Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra under the instruction of conductor Steve Bennett. They both train as violinists. They receive private violin lessons with Andrea Finley, a member of The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. “Participation in TYSO makes me more social with my instrument. Playing by myself is one thing, but having the opportunity to play collectively with others adds another dimension,” states Allen. This is the second year they have participated in TYSO. They recently performed in a Christmas concert at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center on the Texas High School campus.

Younger sisters, Alyssa, 12, and Amber, 10, receive private piano lessons from Shelly Brown with Texarkana Community Music Education. Although they are beginners, they also have a profound interest in music.

The Barnetts don’t often get to play together as a family, but when they do, it is a memorable experience for them all.

Texarkana offers families a wide array of activities for children, as well as adults. Various organizations and institutions are developing creative educational outlets to engage children while building character and instilling dedication. Music education, like other forms of artistic expression, is a tremendous avenue for people of all ages.

“We decided to provide our children with music education early because there are many benefits. This musical foundation gives them numerous constructive tools throughout life,” explains Laura. “Training in music teaches structure, discipline, and responsibility and these are useful in many facets of life. Music training gives a creative outlet to worship God, a greater appreciation for various forms of music, and develops a potentially marketable skill.”

Benefits of Music Education

Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning.
There is also a causal link between music and spatial intelligence (the ability to perceive the world accurately and to form mental pictures of things).
Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT.
Music performance teaches young people to conquer fear and to take risks.
Information gathered from www.classicsforkids.com