- although I agree there is always a place for appreciation/history courses, including advanced ones for accreditation.

In this case the story refers to the advanced high-school curriculum, rather than to younger children. which is a different educational scenario.- And for matriculation, yes, someone doing 'music' for matriculation should be able to play an instrument.

(I myself failed music for matriculation in 1978 for that very reason, and as Seymour Skinner would say "they were right to do it". I did get distinctions in music theory but I had a rotten cello teacher, and she had a rotten student in me. And so the prac brought me down - I have no problem with that. Since then I have concentrated on piano instead, with better results ..)