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Music Therapy Research Paper

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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 …show more content…

Over the past decade, stress has become the number one health problem for Americans (Ferrer 482). Through time, exploration into music therapy validates that this type of therapy produces positive effects on the immune systems that has been negatively impacted by stress (Ferrer 484). A study was conducted by California State University in which the researchers played a number of songs for each participant, then they were asked to answer and nine question survey which included questions like, “What is your current stress level,” “Did you like the music,” “Do you feel happier after listening to the music,” and “Did you find any meaning in the song?” After all surveys were reviewed, it was evident that there was a decrease in stress after listening to the music. The study directed by California State University has been effective from the years 2009-2012 and each year the test continue to produce the same results. The study has proven that as little as six minutes of relaxing music can make someone feel less stressed. Music is an easily accessible and efficient therapy that is also cost effective. There are many benefits to using music therapy to relieve stress, anxiety, and even pain. A respected professional Bollywood dancer in Columbus, Georgia also believes in the medicinal use of music as therapy. Mousumi Bhandary said in an interview, “When I’m stressed out, I like to listen to slow music so that it can soothe my brain and body. It calms me a lot. Music is a tremendous help. It’s a stress breaker for me. It helps me all the time,” (Bhandary). Most individuals do not spend enough time relaxing on a daily basis and this can easily be solved by listening to music, singing, playing an instrument, or dancing on a regular basis. Not only will this help improve a student’s grades, it will also improve their social life as well as their overall

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