Music And Education : The Benefits Of Music Education

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

Perhaps the most tangible benefit of music education for students is the increase in their performance in the classroom. People often say, “Music makes you smarter,” but where is the evidence? As South Dakota State University’s Professor Kevin Kessler eloquently stated via email, “How were you

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

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.

Over the years music education in schools has dropped dramatically for more reasons than one. Now, students are required to take little to no music classes throughout their schooling year which is causing the drive and ambition about school from students to decrease significantly. After analyzing several experiments, documents, and scholarly journals research discovered that the decrease in music education has affected students on all levels of their education. From elementary school all the way through the student’s final years in high school. This decrease has affected students with techniques such as memorization, motivation, self-confidence, and many more. On the other hand, some might say that not everyone likes music and some people’s learning styles don’t require any music education to help them succeed. This is true but the overall majority of the population of students has been affected due to the decrease of music education in schools. Due to the fact that music education is plummeting, the overall education and productivity of students is decreasing.

Scientists have established the existence of strong links between music and personal development. They claim that playing an instrument can increase the student’s sense of achievement, self-esteem, confidence; persistence, punctuality and discipline (Gardiner et al. 1996)

Learning music positively affects a student's academic career. Brain imaging revealed that musicians have greater activity in their hippocampus and limbic system, which are related to memory retention and emotional processing. With this increase in brain activity, people with music training both develop better communication skills and display more empathy (Source B). Despite the substantial benefit music education has, critics still believe that funding for music education can be used for more advantageous expenditures such as lowering class size or upgrading facilities (Source D). However, these critics overlook the importance music education has on the overall growth of students. Studies in neuroaesthetics discovered profound effects music has on the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher level thinking and motor skills. As a result, musicians are "better at drawing comparisons, forming constructive criticism and analyzing alternative viewpoints" (Source B). By providing students with music education, schools can enrich their students with more than what traditional academics

At the same time, a specific report titled “School Art Programs: Should They Be Saved?” by Valeriya Metla, argues that music classes jeopardize students’ futures by distracting them from “important” core classes. However, as other research proves, music generally leaves a positive impact on students’ learning and school experience. First off, recent research shows that music education actually improves test scores. Ellen Judson wrote that according to a 10 year study tracking about 25,000 high school and middle school students, “Students in music programs scored 63 points higher on the verbal and 44 points higher on the math sections of the SATs than students with no music participation.” This shows that music helped these students learn and also helped them display their learning on tests. This, then, raises the question “What is it about music that improves learning?” Significant research has also been completed on the effects of music on children’s brains and neurological development. The National Association for Music Education explained that music helps develop language and reasoning, builds memorization skills, helps develop spatial thinking skills, and helps creative thinking.

Playing an instrument engages both the left and the right brain, builds and strengthens connections between brain cells, and basically makes the brain work harder (Wilcox 2012). Students who play an instrument have higher SAT scores. Research has shown that students in music programs score 63 points higher on the verbal and 44 points higher on the math sections of the SATs than students who do not participate in music programs (Johnson 2006, Catterall UCLA 2006, The College Entrace Examination Board). The most remarkable test score improvements are found in the lower socio-economic groups of kids (Catterall 2012). Research studies in 2005 (Columbia University, Bastian) and 2007 (Barry, Cutietta) both showed improved academic performance, higher IQs, and better scores on standardized tests in students who play one or more musical instruments (U.S. Department of Education, Catterall 2002, Helmrich 2010). Almost all the past winners of the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science, and Technology for high school students played one or more musical instruments. Data has shown the neurological benefits of musical education in processing foreign languages due to the subject’s brains being able to process sounds, pitches, and frequencies (Northwestern University Auditory Neuroscience 2011). The Neurosciences Institute (Karus

Research shows that a musician’s brain is not any different from that of a non-musician's, but rather it is what parts of the brain that enhance musicians’ ability to be “smarter”

Music has elements which tie in with other school subjects such as math and history. When first learning music and the counting for each note, it can represent simple fractions that is learned in third grade math. Students can learn the different genres of music and the history behind what they love. In addition to the early exposure of basic education, music can also expand one’s knowledge in other subjects. Listening and learning music can stimulate parts of the brain that the simple reading, writing, and mathematics classes can’t. It has been said before that listening to classical music can stimulate certain neurons in the brain, which improves test scores. Overall, music can be beneficial to all aspects of

Elementary schools around the country are starting to cut out music education. Fortunately, there are many schools that still recognize the importance of music education. Malinda Williams is a teacher at the Baldwin Hills Elementary School. She is also a fan of Motown Classics. The Jackson 5 was one of the most popular groups during the Motown era.

Music strengthens a student’s memorization and comprehension skills as much, if not more, than any core subject they participles in at school. Playing an instrument is cognitively taxing. Notes and fret patterns not only requires memorization to be played in a song, but also promote hand eye coordination. Math is analogous to music. In math class a student learns how to problem solve by memorizing a sequential order. Musicians use the same method for learning a new song. According to a study published in the journal Psychology of Music “Children exposed to a multi-year program of music tuition involving training in increasingly complex rhythmic, tonal, and practical skills display superior cognitive performance in reading skills compared with their non-musically trained peers.” As this research indicates student’s cognitive abilities are positively impacted by their participation in music training.

Although many, one positive way music education is beneficial to students is that it has a large impact on brain stem growth. With the incorporation of music in a student’s daily life, the brain stem’s responses become more robust (Brown). Therefore, the amount of brain stem growth correlates with recent musical training. As stated by Brown, an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore, “student’s that are involved with a large amount of music will see more gains in brain stem growth”. Furthermore, the neural changes that occur in students as adolescents stay with them into adulthood (“Music Matters”). This allows students to be more prepared once they go into the workforce as adults. Along with the brain stem’s responses being more robust, it’s sensitivity to sound increases (“The Benefits” 1). This is abundantly evident from early on, as mother’s sing to their infants to facilitate brain stimulation and development. Enrichment through music, starting at a young age, seems to improve individuals speech sound development and use of more advanced vocabulary. Adolescents’ language also improves with the use of music in a student’s academics (Miller 46). Luehrisen

The stigma associated with pursuing an education in the musical arts affects the decision of many musicians nationwide. The appeal of guaranteed financial and career stability of STEM and other paths of high demand jobs is very difficult to pass up, even by the most dedicated musicians. Then, the input and advice of outsiders come into play. These onlookers not only encourage study of the hard sciences and a foolproof path to success via university, but they also totally and blatantly discourage and belittle the intelligence, rationality and integrity of not just the paths of musicians, but all liberal artists. Don’t you want to make money? What do you mean you won’t have internships, don’t you want a job? How are you going to survive? This blitzkrieg of questioning and doubt, though theoretically peripheral to the bigger picture, is reasonably common, however, severely unjustified. Pursuing a formal college education in music is easily one of the best things you could do for yourself, regardless of whether or not this is the career path of your choosing. As a student of formal music education, you are actually being trained in more real world skills than most other majors, which will prepare you for many careers, making you stand-out amongst the masses. Being a music major, you learn more than just music, you learn problem-solving skills, how to communicate and collaborate, and how to overcome failure, which are all essential skills to have as a professional in today’s day