Music Education Should Remain In Schools

* ““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).

Music is all around us, no matter where you are. Shouldn’t we be able to listen to it in school too? Students should be allowed to listen to music in class because it keeps them on task, memorizing important informations is easier, and it tunes out distractions helping you focus.

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:

“Nothing is more singular about this generation than its addiction to music” (Bloom 68). While every person in the world knows this to be true, no one stops to consider whether the music society listens to is actually good for the mind. What people don’t realize is that music affects people’s morals, culture, education, laws, and the way society thinks. Music has proved to be helpful, but no one focuses on that aspect of it anymore. The people that music affects the most only care if they can dance to it.

First, When children play an instrument "he or she [develops] key brain [functions] that enhance musical learning but also academic and social skills which [...] [improve] memory and the ability to differentiate sounds and speech". As a result, this could mean that students who do not play a musical instrument will be lacking an important aspect that instrument playing students do have. Second, music has done so much that "research has proven that access to a quality music education engages students in the classroom and increases graduation rates". Participating with an instrument can ultimately help students perform better in an academic setting which can take students very far in life. Lastly, Public polls in America show that " 89% of principals feel that a high-quality music education program contributes to their school achieving higher graduation rates".

Aristotle says, “music possesses the power of producing an effect on the character of the soul (Cahn, 2012, p. 102).” This quote explains very well why music is so important in schools. A few advantages to having music in student’s curriculum is that they will have an easier time memorizing, learning patterns, and self-discipline. An important lesson students learn simultaneously with music is performance. Performance is important because, “It is difficult, if not impossible, for those who have never taken part in performances to become good judges of others (Cahn, 2012, p. 103).

The argument of whether music should or should not be allowed in school has been debated by educators, parents, and students for a long time. These programs provide the students opportunities to play instruments and sing during the school day. Music programs are usually the first thing to go when schools have to do a budget cut. Some people believe that there are too many negatives aspects of music programs, while others believe it is a great addition to schools. So people need to decide whether or not music programs saved or not allowed at all.

Music has been known throughout time. It can help us through everything. There are so many solutions with music to help a person go through so many situations. Music can affect many people in many different ways. Without music some people would be lost and would have no motivation. Music can provide inspiration and insight through education. Music has influence on suicides, killings and shootings, and provocative actions. It can also influence good morals, respect, allowing differences, health, and much more. Music can come in many forms and categories and music is very good for the world.

Last but not least the music department can teach many new skills and not just learning an instrument. While involved and learning music it can teach not only how to sing or play an instrument but also patience, persistence, responsibility, how to read music, elevates performance skills, and how to work in a group or as a team.

Many parents and administrators believe that music is just a waste of time and doesn 't help a student academically. It has been stated and shown in media of all sorts that music doesn’t help kids academically and is only a distraction with potentially harmful effects. For example, in John McDaniel’s words on the negative effects of music in school,:

Music is so important to our lives, this is why music should be mandatory in our public schools. Music has an influence on all of us, unless you’re deaf. This is one of the many reasons why we should have a basic knowledge on how to use music. Learning how to use music opens so many doors to us. We can use music to make peace or war and everything in between. So, why wouldn’t we teach our children the importance of music in our lives? There is a plethora of ways that music affects us.

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.

I believe music is a good tool to not only help children learn, but relieve stress. For example, when you learn a musical instrument, you are able to learn discipline and hard work. It takes brain power to learn how to properly use an instrument. Learning a new instrument will also give students a scene

Using musical training in band classes improves their grades in the rest of the class. After learning music, the language they learn will become more understandable. According to Albert Einstein, anyone takes music practice has their grades increase by 20%. Also, his mother is a musician. Musical training has a special relationship with math. It also improves their reasoning abilities. All of the music will improve their grades to become extra successful.

It is widely accepted that music helps with learning. If so, then why are music programs from public schools cut? While music can be extremely expensive and distracting from other subjects in school, students involved in a music program can benefit. They are able to remember better, learn and understand language easier, and stay in school longer. Before students graduate, however, they need to make sure they have a good memory.