I look upon being able to read as another tool, for want of a better word, in my musical tool box. While it's not an essential tool - many people get along just fine without it - it does help when learning a new piece. I sing in two community choirs here, one uses music, the other doesn't (we are given the words with no dots to follow) and if it's an unfamiliar piece, having the dots definitely helps with the learning process. My older son is a musician, a drummer who can sight read very well, and this ability has been the means of his getting work he would not have been given otherwise....because many drummers can't read a note, so those who can will be given preference.

Cheers
JennieG