Investigating Music And Academia Amongst Students Using Statistical Analysis Essay

In their “Music Matters” pamphlet, the Arts Education Association argues that arts education improves students’ abilities in Core tested areas and brain development. It is vital for every child to be able to better themselves in addition to their mind. A new study from the National Institutes of Health Magnetic Resonance (MRI) Study of Normal Brain Development says that training in music helps children be more mature emotionally and behaviorally, in addition to refined fine motor skills (Nutt). These are the developments that all children need in order to develop healthily. Mathematical skills are learned and reinforced in musical practice, which is why band kids perform better in math than their other nonmusical peers as they age in their educational careers (Arts Education Partnership). This is important because this development is dual-purposed for two subjects and relates them both to academic improvement. Leveling the playing field in the terms of students better understanding an essential subject will also aid in their development because they will be able to understand English more. Music students also have stronger determination, leadership skills, and observation and performance abilities that future universities and employers search for in successful students and employees (Arts Education Partnership). These benefits are multi-purposed and useful in numerous aspects of a person’s academic and employment future. Should these be made available for all students in order to give them equal opportunities to prepare them for the real world, then they will most likely have the opportunity to become

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.

Despite the vast number of children who learn musical instruments, many people still do not fully understand all the benefits of music education. When budget cuts and low funding threaten course elimination, music is often one of the first to go. This should not be the case, however, because “learning to play an instrument can build self-esteem, increase various social and academic skills and can help them become a well-rounded person” (Montgomery). Music education is incredibly valuable, especially for children. The benefits that children can gain from learning music will make lasting impacts on them. Playing musical instruments has copious benefits on a child’s intellect, and social skills, and personal 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.

Elementary schools and high schools across the U.S. have lately suffered from financial strain. Because of this, budget cuts have to be made and music programs often suffer before sports and academics. Although some people believe that music is not a key component in preparing for employment and higher education, yet several others express otherwise, who say music has been shown to stimulate other parts of a student’s mind that can help them excel. Statistics have shown that the correlation between music class and other academia is not only positive for students, but also can improve future scholastic abilities, and thus should not be cut from schools. Through the evaluation of various sources

Silence. This is what many people would hear if they walked into just one of the many music halls in a school whom has cut their music program. Many schools across the nation are suffering from severe budget cuts, and sadly music is far too often the first on the list to go. Music in the American public school system is often a way for students to express themselves and develop a sense of pride and devotion by being a musician. Yet, music education has been proven to improve young students’ cognitive capabilities, music programs are still being cut from the curriculum in schools across the nation. Funding, nation testing standards, availability, and participation are major factors whether a program may or may not stay in American classrooms, which demonstrates America’s destructive need for results from students to be tangible at the expense of the enjoyment of students.

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.

There are many advocacy statements in music education that claim to support the practicality of music in public school settings. Some statements describe how students involved in music have higher GPAs and standardized test scores. Other advocacy explanations express the emotional and creative values encompassed in music education. I would like to dissect statements in these two areas and see which are the most effective to students, parents, administrators, and politicians respectively.

The Knowledge of reading music, and playing an instrument has proven to be beneficial to the learning curb in students including those of little to no background in a literary education to students in college. However, there are schools in America where music isn’t offered. Having a music program could create improved grades, memory, concentration, and quicken the learning process of literacy, but it is believed that music isn’t for everybody.

I have always been a passionate advocate for music education. It is offered to practically every student in America, yet very few institutions put an emphasis on partaking in music classes or extra curriculars. I was placed in a program called Kindermusik when I was in preschool. It started with basic music classes, but then I took three years of piano starting at age eight. Around that time I joined my first choir and I’ve been in several since then. During middle school, I was a band kid for three years and took lessons in both guitar and trumpet. In high school, I chose to pursue chorus every year and participated in three annual school musicals. I was President of the Tri-M Music Honor society at my school. While my weighted GPA took a hit from taking chorus classes, I was having a blast and still managed to become my school’s Salutatorian. I even attended NC Governor’s school as a choral music student. Currently, I am enrolled in the mixed chorus, State Chorale, and the music minor program here at NC State. I’m also taking two other music classes this semester. Music is certainly an integral part of my life.

In light of such positive data, it is tempting to conclude that music must be a consequential variable in elevating student achievement. However, these findings potentially tell us more about our students than about the effects of music. (Demoresi and Morrison, 2000, p. 37)

Introduction: Too many children are struggling in Math, English, science, and Social Studies. They are too busy focusing on extracurricular activities such as band, chorus, and orchestra. They’re focus needs to be on their studies. Everybody loves good music but it isn’t something that needs to be in the school systems.

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.

What is taught in the public-school system has always been and will always be a topic under debate. With constant unfortunate budget cuts to public education music and the arts are the first to see complete drops from school systems. The argument for cutting music is that it is not of equal student success importance as opposed to language arts, science, and mathematics. However, music is highly beneficial to student achievement in all aspects of life. Music positively impacts a student’s ability to achieve in the other more “core subjects” such as math and English (Petress 113). Because of the vast positive impacts of teaching music to student’s, music education deserves to be a pillar of the US education system.

The evidence makes clear the benefits of playing a musical instrument on students’ abilities to perform academically. For example, the Harmony Project is an after- school program that provides music lessons to children from underprivileged neighborhoods of California. Ninety-three percent of seniors in the program have graduated from high school in four years and gone on to college. This is truly incredible when one considers that the communities where the program takes place have dropout rates of over 50% (Turner). One explanation for this significant improvement is the direct impact playing music has on the students’ brains. A study conducted by Nina Kraus, a neurobiologist at Northwestern University, demonstrates this impact. By running tests on the program’s members, Kraus’ data suggests students who had studied music for two years were better at processing speech than those who had been in the program for only one year (Turner).