Required Music Education

The study found that when developing students are learning to play and instrument that they develop the ability to not just hear and appreciate the sounds of music differently but also process the sounds in a different way compared to kids of the same age not learning an instrument. This is due to learn to play an instrument help develop neurophysiological distinction which has been linked to aid and boost literacy and this which possibly improve success in academics. A quote that I believe is really great in driving home this point is by Nina Kraus in her book “Frontiers in Psychology” and that quote is, “We like to say that making music matters, Because it is only through the active generation and manipulation of sound that music can rewire the brain.” And she was saying this after hosting a study at Northwestern’s Auditory Neuroscience Lab. And the experiment was to see if a music appreciation class had the same effect as actually learning and participating in band class. And they found that the kids that were in the process of learning an instrument has better of improved neural processing skills than the students who were only in music appreciation group.

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.

Elementary schools and high schools across the U.S. have lately suffered from financial strain. Because of this, budget cuts have to be made and music programs often suffer before sports and academics. Although some people believe that music is not a key component in preparing for employment and higher education, yet several others express otherwise, who say music has been shown to stimulate other parts of a student’s mind that can help them excel. Statistics have shown that the correlation between music class and other academia is not only positive for students, but also can improve future scholastic abilities, and thus should not be cut from schools. Through the evaluation of various sources

* ““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 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.

There are many benefits to music. It’s a way for students to express themselves, create bonds, learn life skills, and improve their minds. Studies have shown that music can benefit a student academically, as well as mentally. Not only that, but if introduced in earlier childhood, music can actually help a child with their linguistic development. As stated by Laura Lewis Brown in her article The Benefits of Music Education, “While children come into the world ready to decode sounds and words, music education helps enhance those natural abilities.” (1). I have been in band since I was in the

Today, many schools focus on preparing their students for their lives beyond the classrooms. They do so by focusing their limited resources on programs that they deem necessary for a proper education. Furthermore, when schools make cut backs, music programs are one of the first to be terminated. Ironically, music embodies many of the subjects that are not eliminated: mathematics, history, science, reading, etc. Music requires self-discipline, accountability, and teamwork: traits that most employers seek in young applicants. Students should participate in music programs because they foster cognitive development, inspire teamwork, and encourage students to adapt a solid work ethic.

Music has elements which tie in with other school subjects such as math and history. When first learning music and the counting for each note, it can represent simple fractions that is learned in third grade math. Students can learn the different genres of music and the history behind what they love. In addition to the early exposure of basic education, music can also expand one’s knowledge in other subjects. Listening and learning music can stimulate parts of the brain that the simple reading, writing, and mathematics classes can’t. It has been said before that listening to classical music can stimulate certain neurons in the brain, which improves test scores. Overall, music can be beneficial to all aspects 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.

Children who have studied music tend to have bigger vocabularies as well as having more advanced reading skills than children who do not participate in music.” (Music Academy. "Statistical benefits of music in education.") “Regardless of socioeconomic status or school district, students (3rd graders) who participate in high-quality music programs score higher on reading and spelling tests.”(Hille,. "Associations between music education, intelligence, and spelling ability in elementary school.".) “Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training.” (National Association for Music Education. "The Benefits of the Study of Music.")A recent study found that compared to the age, IQ- matched typically developing children participants with autism demonstration elevated pitch discrimination ability as well as superior long-term memory for

school districts since 2008, [and the] first programs to go are often disciplines such as music” (Boyd). Unfortunately, as far as school boards are concerned, music/art classes are second tier classes. This notion that music courses are naturally second tier is simply unacceptable. Although it might not seem like a pressing issue, children that are not involved in music programs are missing out in many ways. Due to music’s numerous health and learning benefits, school music programs should be available to students throughout grades K-12.

Music can help enhance students performance in classes. People may say that music take the focus away from the core classes and this might hurt their ability to learn new skills. Music and other arts classes teach students basic personality traits that will help them focus in their classes and in life in general. When in a music program it teaches students discipline, dedication, and comprehension skills so that they can better master their music and help others to understand what the composer was trying to represent in there piece (Petress, Ken paragraph 5). These are all skills that a students must learn in order to accomplish much in life and is a wonderful tool that they will be able to use to benefit how they study and how they take tests.

This development on the brain is called brain plasticity, which is defined as “the capacity of the brain to change, remain flexible, and continue to learn throughout one's life” (Collins, 2014). The practice of music education, allows musicians to enhance the brain’s pathways, making the brain work twice as hard, than a person who is a non-musician. Musicians have been found to attain higher levels of skills than non-musicians (Collins, 2014). The problem with this, is whether music education does have an impact to the brain of musicians. Parents should take music education into consideration. This will help their children to perform better in school, therefore getting good grades will be something easy for them. Many people question whether music education really helps or not, neuroscientists are studying this, to find if music education does help a person develop several areas of the

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.