Agreed.  This should be fundamental to the education that all students receive, not just students attending charter schools with an arts focus or students attending private schools.   The reasons to include music are numerous but include:

• Music broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them--it helps to define our culture and to understand other cultures.
• Students with experience in music performance and music appreciation score higher on the SAT and in other assessments of academic success; as an activity, music is very positively viewed in the college admissions process of many universities.
• Studying music encourages self-discipline and diligence; traits that carry over into intellectual pursuits and that lead to effective study and work habits.
• Music allows for the development of creative expression, boosts students self esteem, and improves communication skills.