Music Programs In High Schools Essay

The programs offered here, specifically the musical groups (whether student-run or school-run) bring students and faculty together. There are a number of faculty ensembles, student ensembles, and even mixed ensembles, both instrumental and choral, that strengthen the community of the school. The interest of the students is in the school’s best interests; there are jazz bands, classical bands, orchestras, choral groups, acapella groups, and even theatre. These ensembles are a great way to make friends, pursue your dreams and give something more to a college education here at the University of

One answered, “Yes because you might end up being a famous singer one day.” Another student answered, “Yes just because the friendships that you make might last a really long time.” The third student answered, “Yes, because it opens up a lot of career opportunities and also social opportunities.” These responses can show us that being in chorus can help to open up many possibilities in your life. For the sake of getting an outside look on this question, Mrs. Grizzle was asked, “Have you ever witnessed a student’s life being changed by music?” She responded, “ I had a student join in 6th grade who lacked self confidence and didn't have many friends. By the end of 8th grade, she was a section leader, made All State Chorus twice, taught and directed a song at the winter concert. She is now majoring in music education and wants to be a chorus teacher!” This shows that chorus can have a lifelong impact on students.

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".

Music is a way for people to express themselves without having to make a drastic change. The reason I started to play music was because I love music in general to start off with and wanted the challenge of learning how to play an instrument. In sixth grade year there were probably 120 kids in band. Slowly through my band years many kids have dropped out. By the time I made it to the high school there were maybe 30 band students in, my grade and Mr. Rice the band director said, “They weren't able to handle it because band isn't easy.” One you have been in band you don't realize if you struggle or if you can't handle band and it's not a bad thing that students drop out of band. It just shows that they have decision making skills and don't want to hinder the other students acceleration in the class.

Students will then be able to find their own identity and become active and positive members of society. As these students continue their lives outside of the band room, they will be able to look back and see how music has molded them. Even if their future doesn’t involve music, they will understand the value of what the subject teaches. Through that understanding, the program will create lifetime supporters of the arts. A band program will only thrive when there is a community supporting it. In return, it is my job to make my program beneficial to the community, administrators, fellow teachers, parents, and, most importantly, the

It has also been proven that students, who have taken music classes in school, not only have an understanding of a subject that other students don’t, but their test scores in conventional classes, especially math and science, are significantly higher than students who have taken no form of music education. This fact is reaffirmed according to The College Board:

The power of education resides within its ability to fruitfully illuminate and transform the mind of a student. Unfortunately, when this education lacks depth and substance it can limit the student in a manner that creates toxicity towards growing. One of the subjects that helps create a robust scholar but always finds itself in danger is music education. As a musician, most of my work has been in practicing and performing, but the more important aspect of my passion that is often overlooked is giving back through educating the younger generation.

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.

Music is an important factor in many lives. It makes us who we are. For some students it may help them get through the school day. It helps them with the stress from

Graziano, Matthew Peterson, and Gordon L. Shaw a group of children were given piano lessons and math training for a certain amount of time, while a control group received only the math training. At the end of the experiment the children were all given a math test; the children who had been given piano lessons scored fifteen percent higher on their math tests than the ones who received only the math training. (Deasy 110) According to Chorus America’s Chorus Impact Study, “parents with children singing in choruses report their children get significantly better grades than children who’ve never been part if one.” This fact is proven in their research that states that sixty four percent of chorus students reported that their language arts skills had improved, fifty seven percent reported that they improved in math, and sixty one percent reported an overall increase in their academic skill levels since joining fine arts. From those statistics, it is almost impossible to imagine that anyone would consider removing fine arts from public schools.

Music programs can even help round out an education or some. “93% of Americans consider the arts to be vital to providing a well- rounded education for children and a critical link to learning and success” (Flowers, Klatzer and Pacheco). Without the proper amount of funding that a music program in Arizona needs, people will not be able to achieve the same amount of academic success as a music program that does receive a proper amount of funding.

Many people blow off the importance of music classes as just easy As, saying they aren’t really that important to a student's’ academics, but are they? Could music go beyond the notes on the paper and give students something much more valuable than anyone is willing to admit? Many of the scientists that have been doing studies on music and students would tell you there is, in fact, a correlation between successful students and musical prowess. Musical training can help students to be successful in school. 1 Music helps students with problem solving and can help them to learn to memorize anything. 2 Also, music helps with an ability to collaborate and listen. 3 Finally, music develops a student’s ability to focus on both the present and the future.

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 has been around in schools for a long time. Many students listen to music while studying as well as participating in music programs. Music has a positive effect on a students overall success because it reduces stress and helps students retain information.

In closing, an American student should never be allowed to miss out on a band, art, or drama class because they could also miss out on higher academic success, the opportunity to learn more about themselves, and the opportunity to learn more about the world. Some may think it is wrong to forcefully propel scholars into a music or arts class without their consent, but the benefits are almost