Musical Education : The Benefits Of Music Education

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.

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.

The arts become a part of a child’s life growing up in a family, socializing with friends, community, and in school. Music education allows for self-expression and connecting students with themselves and others.

"The earlier a child ... comes to grips with music, the more the brain growth will be influenced. It sets them up for life." (Dr Richard Letts)

Music is a form of life that has a variety of purposes; even the human mind cannot comprehend them all. It should be considered a need but because of the economy and its hardship it has bestowed upon people, when school budgets tighten, music programs feel the pressure early and brace for a potential beating (Jennings). Our education system should allow children to express themselves through efficacious learning experiences, giving them the opportunity them to get in-touch with, and strengthen, their creativity (Lim and Chung, S60, Terrance). There is no doubt other programs includes this, but when it comes to music, people question its capability and it is considered “not cool”. Without music in our education programs,

Many schools have cut music programs due loss of funding, and loss of interest. Some believe it is a waste of time, and music is another expense on bills, a weight in our wallets. This is widely believed by parents and educators to be a big mistake. Music, whether taught in or outside of school, helps students excel in the following ways I have stated Music is beneficial to students in schools.

It is important to understand how music education advocacy was started and how it has changed over the years. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, of New York is quoted saying the following about music education: “Knowledge is a form of capital, much of it formed by government investment in education...Politics has become a process that deliberately seeks to affect such outcomes as who thinks what, who feels how" (Mark). The significance of Moynihan’s statement set the foundation of music education advocacy in terms of a political standpoint. Mark also hits on the topic that Music Education should have it’s own advocate. By, having an individual advocate, they can better explain the importance of music education to the general public and policy makers.

While most parents want their child to become a pro athlete, lawyer, or doctor, it is very uncommon for a parent to want their child to become a musician. The reason being is that the average musician does not make as much money as a pro athlete, lawyer or doctor. When in reality being a musician is not about the money, it is about self expression and elevating the mind which is more valuable than currency. Music is essential to people’s lives because it controls basic human emotions, for example, when one listens to sad songs one declines in mood or if one listens to something upbeat one feels the need to dance. This is called the Greek Doctrine of Ethos which was written in the 4th century B.C.E by the great Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato. The Doctrine is still relevant today how for numerous reasons “Aristotle, in his politics explains the different kinds of music imitating specific feeling (anger, kindness, love), can affect a human being with the same kind of feelings. Therefore, says Aristotle, someone who listens to the wrong kind of music will grow up to be bad person and become a good person if they listen to good influencing music. Consequently, Aristotle (and also Plato) recommended the right kind of music in the education of young citizens” (The Ancient, 2009). While listening to music stimulates the brain, playing a musical instrument works both sides of the brain. Thus, playing a musical instrument affects a child’s brain development in various ways.

past eleven years, and as a piano teacher for the past four years, I have definitely seen this first

The stigma associated with pursuing an education in the musical arts affects the decision of many musicians nationwide. The appeal of guaranteed financial and career stability of STEM and other paths of high demand jobs is very difficult to pass up, even by the most dedicated musicians. Then, the input and advice of outsiders come into play. These onlookers not only encourage study of the hard sciences and a foolproof path to success via university, but they also totally and blatantly discourage and belittle the intelligence, rationality and integrity of not just the paths of musicians, but all liberal artists. Don’t you want to make money? What do you mean you won’t have internships, don’t you want a job? How are you going to survive? This blitzkrieg of questioning and doubt, though theoretically peripheral to the bigger picture, is reasonably common, however, severely unjustified. Pursuing a formal college education in music is easily one of the best things you could do for yourself, regardless of whether or not this is the career path of your choosing. As a student of formal music education, you are actually being trained in more real world skills than most other majors, which will prepare you for many careers, making you stand-out amongst the masses. Being a music major, you learn more than just music, you learn problem-solving skills, how to communicate and collaborate, and how to overcome failure, which are all essential skills to have as a professional in today’s day

Plato the philosopher once said “I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” Funds have been cut in more than 80 percent of U.S. school districts since 2008. The very first programs to go are often disciplines such as music, art and foreign language. This is in order to create more funding for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs, also known as STEM. Although STEM programs in public education are important, schools should include more music education because, it increases brain activity, increases creativity in problem solving, and improves test scores.

Music has always been and still is one of the greatest heritage that we have as a human being, that’s the reasons why people called it the universal language of humankind. No matter where we are music is always there around us and that show’s how important music is for us human beings. Without music, we don’t have the way to express our feeling with, technically life will be dulled without any music.

Elliott considers music education to be “essential” since the main values of music and music education coincide with the life values that society aims to achieve: “personal growth, differentiation, complexity, enjoyment, self-esteem, and happiness". He argues that “the quality of individual and community life depends on providing people with the knowings and the opportunities they require to make a life as well as a living”. Moreover, Burmeister makes a case for music education in general education through its unique contributions to man, being “aesthetic growth”, “productive use of leisure time” and “emotional development”. Another way of categorising the benefits of music education is through success: “success in society, success in school, success in developing intelligence, and success in

Music is everywhere, in the classrooms, at a job site, in family houses, music is anywhere where there is air and it is played throughout the world daily. Some people like Ribeiro and Santos who published an article about music helping math students thinks music in an educational setting is beneficial for learning (Ribeiro, Fabiana Silva and Flávia H. Santos, 2017) Some people like the Kent and Sussex Courier who published an article on how the Kent police station put a bunch of money towards getting music in the station say that having music on the radio stations in their place of work is beneficial as well (The Kent and Sussex Courier, 2013). Using music as a therapy tool according to the journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is beneficial for those who have COPD (Ho, Chiung-Fang, et al, 2017). Boethius would say that in these settings music is acceptable, but depending on what kind of music is being played. Mo Tzu on the other hand would say that music is a waste of time in the educational setting, work place, home life, and even those who are ill.

“Education- should enhance understanding of the world, of oneself, and of one’s own experience” (Kelly 2009). What is important about music education? There are many important aspects in music education like pedagogy and performance. For me, music education is about letting the students express themselves. Having the ability to give an idea or to vent is a vital tool in today’s society. This concept influences music because expression is not only in how to connect a phrase, but also how to tell a story. With my time in college, Dr. Joseph Frye will always tell me to tell a story with music. He will also ask me what I want to feel after playing a piece. This is what I believe is important in music education.