Music Education At A Young Age

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.

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

* ““95% percent of Americans believe that music is a key-component in a child’s well-rounded education, 80% percent of respondents agreed that music makes the participants smarter; 78% believe that learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subject areas; and 88% believe participation in music helps teach children discipline” (Hurley 3),” (par 1).

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.

Web. 21 Feb. 2016. This article’s author argues that it is important for music classes to remain available to children in school due to their mental benefits. The author explains that many school boards tirelessly attempt to eliminate music programs, however, there is abundant evidence that supports keeping the programs since learning music can dramatically improve children’s ability to read and comprehend math. The author backs their argument with a plethora of statistics from various sources showing the sharp contrast between the scores of music and non-music students. This article adds to the proof that education can be aided by a student’s understanding of

This article, posted first on The Music Parents Guide, is also available on the NAFME website and was written by Tony Mazzocchi. The article begins with a reference to the recent inclusion of music as a part of core education, considered a progressive step by many in the music education community. However, Tony warns that despite this legal change, schools will need to be convinced to make real changes in supporting their music programs as an equal part of the students’ education. To this end, three reasons are provided for why schools need music today:

Practicing music affects human brains by improving intellectual and emotional skills. When a person plays an instrument, certain parts of the brain which are involved in controlling memory, hearing and motor skills are activated. In training music, a huge load of memory is required because a brain has to receive complicated auditory input. Therefore, the capacity to memorize expands and increases effectively (Spray, 2015). Songs don 't only help kids memorize alphabets or learn new words, but also aid adult 's ability to remember. A study from Ried School of Music, University of Edinburgh found that adults can remember a new foreign language better if they sing instead of speak the words (2014). The explanation is because rhythm, rhyme and alliteration in music put new words in a pattern and organize them. Thus, when one sings a song, the pattern comes out of their mind in sequence. It helps them recall the words quickly (Roediger). Music acts in the same function as visual image which is to illustrate abstract concepts into more concrete pictures.

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

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.

Although music programs have had less funding year after year, nearly 40% of high school students remain enrolled in music classes. Music classes like band, chorus, orchestra, and music theory provide social, emotional, and physical outlets for these students. All students should be able to have this type of outlet. Music should be a mandatory class for all students beginning in elementary school not only because of its therapeutic benefits, but also for its sociological and creative benefits as well. Music proves to be a good teaching method for teachers in high school and middle school but especially in elementary school. Students enrolled in music education classes are generally more academically inclined than those who are not. Students

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.

Music education is important to our generation in many different ways. Music is a huge part of many kids lives and they look up to it as happiness. Music is not just random words build up together, it has meaning and rhythm to it so we can understand the idea behind it. It has brought happiness in many humans and animals lives. Success in intelligence, school, and life. Music has dedicated us to do work and live our life. It is the new hope for younger kids. Everyone enjoys music. Some succeed in life and some do not because music is not provided in their habitat. Unfortunately for many years, music classes are the last elective choice to be added and is the first to be cut so there for, many of the music classes in schools are being demolished. The three main benefits of music education that comes to mind are the language development of young kids, success in and out of school, and how the kids have changes in their behavior with music and without music.

Parents and educators always have known that music and art are an important part of primary and secondary school. School choirs, recorder ensembles, bands, orchestras, drawing and painting, and theatricals all lead to better performance in school and in life. Unfortunately funding shortages and shifting priorities since the 1970s have led to the loss of many music and arts programs – a huge loss of creativity, experiencing success, a sense of play, fun and discovery, and most importantly, a loss of potential. The presence of strong arts and music programs in the schools has an extraordinarily positive impact on individual students and their ability to excel in other parts of education – academically, cognitively, socially, and in preparation to become better-functioning adults.