A Rough Patch for School Music Programs Essay

Living in a world surrounded by noises and sounds, one cannot deny that music lives all around them. Schools, street corners, sporting events, there is one thing you will always find: music. Music education is quickly becoming defunct in schools, as many try to decry its many benefits. A growing emphasis on the concrete subjects of math and science, whose benefits are more immediate, are pushing the creativity and imagination of music classes to the back of the budget. Music education is no longer described as stimulating and exciting, but rather unnecessary and distracting. But the benefits of having an education in music is undeniable. Simply being around music can have a positive impact on life. Music enables the human race to discover emotions that they have never uncovered before. The human mind is refreshed by music; “our imagination and memories are stimulated by the sounds, and summon feelings and memories associated with the musical sound” (Wingell 15). Without music, the world would be silent. Lifeless. No matter what language one speaks or what culture one is from, music is a universal language, connecting the hearts of people around the entire world. In schools throughout the nation, that connection is being severed because of budget cuts and lack of funding, but the benefits of music education are clear. The benefits of having an education in music are not only present in the classroom; a lasting impact is also left on the social and emotional growth of a person, though the gains may not be evinced immediately. Participating in musical education programs in schools can give students the opportunity to form lasting friendships and to gain skills that will last them their entire lives. Music education can be beneficial to students because it enhances students’ performance in the classroom, aids in improving student’s interest and engagement in school, and advances students’ social and emotional growth.

For years, music classes have been the ugly ducklings of school curriculums, the last courses to be added, the first courses to be cut. They have always taken second place to traditional academic classes. Music, however, has proved itself to be extremely beneficial time and time again, from the undeniable improvement in grades regarding traditional academic classes to the glowing remarks from music students everywhere. In an ever-changing world, the addition of music education in schools needs to be next on the academic agenda. Music education should be a required component in all schools due to the proven academic, social, and personal benefits that it provides.

Teaching music comes in all different kinds of methods and views. Music plays a very vital role in our school systems, and is arguably just as important as any other subject. The teacher pays various roles in the classroom, but always keeps the students’ best interest in mind. The student also plays various roles in the classroom, but is always expected to come to class ready to learn. The curriculum allows teachers to create clear and concise lesson plans that fit the students needs. And effective instructional methods will vary from student to student, and effective teachers will try several methods to breakthrough to the student.

I can say I’m a multi-instrumentalist. I can play the harmonica, the trombone, the ukulele, the bass, the piano, the electric and acoustic guitar, and I’m probably forgetting one. But really I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her” (Montes). “One of the big things I teach my kids is how through hard work, you can accomplish anything. Whenever a kid shows up to a lesson, I always ask them if they practiced, and sometimes they say no because they don’t have a piano at home. It reminds me of the days when I couldn’t even afford a piano, but I push those thoughts away and work towards helping these kids fulfill their dreams as I’ve fulfilled mine. Music teaches the kids how to work through a tough song, and through time and practice, they always get it at the end” (LaBeau). Ronnie’s School of Music has performed annually for several of the city’s prominent events: the Arroyo Lighting at Christmas, Saint Anthony’s Fall Festival, Winter Texan festivals, and many more. LaBeau teaches students of all ages, from three to ninety seven. The majority of her students, however, come from Saint Anthony Catholic

Across the United States many elementary school music classrooms are filled with simple and popular tunes such as Hot Cross Buns and The Ode to Joy, played on the recorder, while high school students may be playing collegiate or professional pieces of music such as Armenian Dances and Carmen Suites. I have been very fortunate to have gone on the journey of progressing through different music education programs within Fairfax County Public Schools. If I was never exposed to music while in elementary school I might not have ever found one of my greatest passions or been able to create such fond and unforgettable memories. While music education programs across the country appear large and strong, many schools are beginning to experience budget reductions. As a result, music is often the very first component of a school 's curriculum or programs to be cut or significantly reduced, but I believe this is not the right course of action. It is important to preserve and promote music education in public schools because of the proven cognitive, character,and academic benefits for students.

Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is

It is understood why this has been stressed against music in schools. However, it is faulty. Other beliefs are that it does more harm than good because “it affects grades negatively”. In the words of John McDaniel, “They claim that students will spend too much time on practicing, trips and performances, which will affect

Many factors take part in the elimination of music education courses in public schools, but the main one is budget cuts. In the New York Times article “School Arts Programs Survive Budget Woes”, Javier Hernandez reports, “Three-quarters of principals said that funding remains a major challenge in their ability to maintain lively arts programs,” (Hernandez 2). Without the means to pay for music programs, school officials face the dilemma of whether or not to cancel music education in schools.

The research of this article supports the idea that students in the United States listen to a vast quantity of music totaling over 10,500 hours a year, within 12 years of educating. Still, numerous educators don't know how to utilize music successfully into their day by day classroom curriculum. For example, music can be utilized to set the classroom atmosphere, move subject changes, and to help with catching the eye of our young males. Likewise, educators can assemble an assortment of tunes from various genres or give a genre that will symbolize a subject. This can help and caution grade school boys of a shift with subjects. This can likewise help with keeping up the consideration of males. Depending upon the strength or style of music selected,

Across much of the United States, education budgets, most markedly the funding for music education, are being slashed due to Congressional attempts to balance the budget. Although many areas are affected by a lack of music education for students, according to the Detroit Free Press people from impoverished areas such as Detroit complain that over half of public schools in their area have no instrumental or vocal music instruction. This bankrupts many children from learning skills that could not only have turned into future career aspirations, but would have enriched their educational experience. It is clear that more funding should be allocated to districts for music education because it can encourage higher academic performance, encourage tolerance among an increasingly diversified student body, and greatly contribute to mental and physical health.

Music programs throughout the United States are making quite the hurrah, and yet seem to never be heard by the classmates and staff that walk the same halls as them. The lack of appreciation of the music and arts programs throughout America is astonishing, and heartbreaking to many of the students, parents, and staff that are involved with them. There are more than a few causes that can be held responsible, however the main three are a lack of funding, lack of support from administration and staff, and the lack of equal support amongst students involved in different activities, such as sports, clubs, and music programs, all of which have led to a decrease in student participation in music. However, there may be a solution in sight, with the help of some creative thinking on the part of the administration, the support of the staff members, and the acknowledgment of the student body.

Picture yourself walking through a hallway in a high school The same hallway that every Friday afternoon the band marches down playing music for the football game pep rally. Or, visualize walking by the auditorium and hearing the beautiful, distinct voices of each person in the choir. Now, picture that same school but with no music education, no band, and no glee clubs. Imagine that group of kids for whom music was a major part of their world. Where do you see these kids now? Lost? Hurting? Not able to cope or fit in to a group of people? Wondering where they belong? Music education is slowly getting eliminated in public schools. Without these ensembles, kids do not have a way to express their feelings and are not able to connect with other

Have you ever wanted to learn to play an instrument or to sing in a choir? Millions of students don’t have the opportunity to learn music at their schools and develop their talents due to budget cuts. In Chicago Public Schools 10% of teachers laid off taught art or music, one-hundred and five teachers were let go (Hambek, 1). A student that was raised in poverty can’t afford to pay for music classes outside of school. If that school doesn’t offer musical electives, that student wouldn’t be able to learn what they have always wanted to. Many students face this problem, they want to learn music but can’t because their schools have cut it to ‘fix’ their budget. Music electives should remain an opportunity for students in all schools; musical training

Our interactions with it, the changes that have transpired, and the way in which we pass on and instruct the next generation through music is extremely vital. Music education has frequently proven to be beneficial to the “subjects” involved, both students and their teachers. This type of classroom’s mission is to ultimately carry out a synchronized musical performance; in order to execute it correctly, adherence to the “division of labor” is crucial. Akin to formal writing, music has a set of “rules” for ordering components, such as chords, intervals, and notes. Each child is assigned an instrument and a piece to play as their “mediating artifact”. It is not necessarily always about how well a student plays that matters, but the constant use of different senses, muscles, and brainpower, that improves literacy development and may even expand the brain’s capacity for neural connections. In upper-level schooling, institutions with music programs have recorded higher test scores, graduation rates, and overall attendance, compared to those lacking art

Many people believe that the arts, specifically music programs, hold no beneficial value to students other than for an extracurricular activity. Others believe that having these programs within our schools, only takes away from instructional time. However, research has shown that music education, and exposure to music in general, provides great benefits and values to the adolescents that are involved in said programs (“Music Matters”). Participation in music programs promotes the advancement of academic scores and sets students on the path to success later in life. Furthermore, these programs, be it instrumental or vocal, provide an outlet for adolescents to express themselves and have truly lasting implications on their global development. Notwithstanding all of the pleasure and self-confidence gained through participation in music programs, music education may provide important benefits towards students’ academics by improving their concentration levels and cultivating higher order thinking skills that may increase academic achievement.