Music In Schools: Should They Be Saved?

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.

Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut from shrinking school budgets even though they're proven to improve academics. In May 2005 a Harris Poll showed that ninety three percent of the population agree the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children, a two percent increase over 2001 (Catterall). This evidence shows that the people believe that these programs are indeed improving and are important to the lives of students. Along with the fact that Studies done mostly in children of young age show that their academic performance increases after a certain period of music education and training. One particular study published in the journal 'Nature' showed that when groups of first graders were given music instruction

Although music education does help increase productivity and overall education in schools, the decline of music can benefit some people. Not everyone in the school likes music. In fact, some people can’t even tolerate the thought of music. Either they don’t find any interest in it or they just are not good at it. People lose interest in things after a while if they don’t

Music education has consistently been at the bottom of the educational priority ladder. With minimal prospects and intense competition for a successful career, music classes have been eclipsed in student interest and funding by courses related to the more lucrative STEM careers. Although music education creates a hefty burden for the school board, the numerous personal benefits warrant music opportunities for all students.

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

Music classes are essential for schools to have so students can have the opportunity to discover their passion. When districts face challenges in their budget, they can still offer music for their school. Music electives in school are worthy to be held, they have many benefits for students that help them with anything they strive to accomplish. We see how important these music classes are to students. Though they may seem as just a pass-time or hobby, they can deeply affect an individual student who wants to learn. Let us not take that opportunity away from those talented students. If American districts haven’t had the privilege of music in their schools, their students would have missed the opportunity to become something more than what they could have become if they haven’t had music classes. You can do something about this issue today! Promote your school to use their fundings wisely so they can afford music electives. You can also help students discover their passion by supporting the music programs in your own school. If we all do this, students and schools will be much more

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

Three fifths of the United States have made cuts to their music programs. Studies have shown that schools with good music education programs help students perform better on standardized tests. Many famous businessmen and woman also attribute their success to their musical background. Therefore schools should have strong music education programs so their students develop necessary skills for their careers, communicate better with others, and score higher on tests.

Music education should be taught in all schools. A quality music education program offers a variety of positive influences on children of all ages (President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities). Studies have shown that playing an instrument activates all areas of the brain, which can increase test scores and even focus throughout the day. Student’s participation in music education programs offer a more positive social circle. Students may also have opportunities to travel, perform in a variety of venues, and have more opportunities for scholarships. There are many positive reasons for having a music program in all schools. Some people would argue that a quality musical education is expensive. There are also some that would argue that music

Whether the children who are involved in the music program grow up to become a parent or continue their interest and turn it into a career. Seeing how music affects children, positively and negatively, allows adults to see the best solution for lacking music programs. Although you must ask, Is the lack of music programs a good thing? Avoiding the negative experience, such as the children’s experience in London, in paragraph 4, allows educators to understand the view that maybe the music program is the issue, as well as our own teaching methods or skill levels. Having music programs obviously expands a child’s abilities in other cases, such as the children in juvenile centers, but what is the solution? Should music programs be important, or do they not matter? As most parents agree a child’s interests are important, as well as being able to explore and find themselves. Music programs allow students to explore a new side, that not only fulfills their interest, but develops social skills. As parents raise their children supporting their interests and future, educators in music help push along the skills each child is developing. Whether the government provides “arts-rich” music programs in a school determines how much these children can explore music, while staying busy instead of in

Because 93% of American citizens believe that music is a very important part of a child’s education, it is surprising how much money is actually being taken away from the programs which take an active role in giving this valuable part of education to a child(Russell). This vital money seems to go elsewhere in the schools, such as to the math or the science departments. Some researchers argue , "Music courses may not turn students into musicians; but on the other hand, chemistry classes don’t necessarily make them chemists either" (Kupferberg 1). Music "opens doors"(Russell) to things that children could hardly seem to be imaginable. For them, the opportunities appear magnificent and endless. When a child is doing poorly in a subject, s/he, if given the opportunity, may have music to look to as an area of success, instead of failure, and this has the potential to greatly improve child’s self-esteem.

Music brings joy to billions of people across the globe on a daily basis, is an enormous part of some of the most important life events, including weddings and funerals, and is the subject of a multi-billion dollar industry. In schools, music is special in that can uniquely engage and motivate a wide sampling of

In the last decade America has had to deal with the difficult economical down turns in order to stay above water in many businesses. The education field has had to make its own internal adjustments to keep afloat economically. “Funds have been cut in more than 80 percent of U.S. school districts since 2008. The very first programs to get cut are often disciplines such as music.”(Boyd). The removal of music programs can seem to be a reasonable response to the lack of revenue, but what is the real cost? Music is not a peripheral side subject that has so real meaning in the development of a person. Playing music is beneficial to a student in many ways. It develops a student’s emotional health. It develops the self-confidence of a student

Many schools have been cutting back on art classes lately, especially music classes. It takes plenty of time, practice, and money that schools just do not have. Ever since the recession in 2008, most schools never saw a reason to bring back music classes that were cut. Parents do not want to take the initiative to buy lessons as well because paying for instruments, gear, and lessons all at once can start to feel financially suffocating. But, despite this, music education can actually play a huge role in the growth of children. Despite music class cutbacks and parents’ unwillingness or inability to provide music lessons; musical training, especially when begun early, has many positive cognitive, academic, and social benefits that will last a lifetime.

There is a psychological benefit of having music incorporated in school. The brain expands the time in which the attention of a student is engaged in the lesson. Neurophysiiological distinction is also developed during the course of a child’s learning journey, after having music instilled in the education process.