The Importance of Music in Education

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

“Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, charm to sadness, gaiety to life and to everything” (Plato). Music is a way for people to communicate their feelings. This expression can come through playing an instrument, singing a song or even listen to other people's music. As a music educator one has the responsibility to shape and nurture people's need for music. Musical education can be one of the most influential forms of education, because of the direct way music impacts our lives. When one is going into music education they must analyze the benefits for oneself, the advancement of those being taught and the contribution to and from the community.

Annotated Bibliography Reina Garza Diana Hollinger, Russ Sperling, JoAnn Ford (2009, november 5). the state of music education in schools. (M. Cavanaugh, Interviewer)

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.

3 Reasons Why Now-More Than Ever-America Needs Music in its Schools This article, posted first on The Music Parents Guide, is also available on the NAFME website and was written by Tony Mazzocchi. The article begins with a reference to the recent inclusion of music as a part of core education, considered a progressive step by many in the music education community. However, Tony warns that despite this legal change, schools will need to be convinced to make real changes in supporting their music programs as an equal part of the students’ education. To this end, three reasons are provided for why schools need music today:

Because music is soothing to the soul, it stimulates the brain, and it teaches new skills, joining the Storm Lake music department is a great opportunity. Music has so many benefits! The Storm Lake music department can teach these skills. All that's left to do is join! “I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for music”

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Despite arguments about the racial prejudice associated with music, it’s high cost, and distractible nature, it is still critical to supply students in all schools with fine arts and especially music education. As recent research supports, music in schools has significant benefits to communities and the world because it prepares school children for tomorrow's work world, brings energy into communities, and educates everyone about different cultures. Also, music education in schools can improve a school’s environment, decrease bullying, and improve graduation rates. Finally, music in schools benefits students, most importantly, because it improves their social life, helps their brains develop important skills, and improves test scores. But most importantly, music is fun for many students, and people everywhere, and helps them express themselves. This is why music needs to be supported by everyone, but most importantly, schools, communities, and this country. The world cannot lose sight of the arts, even in the midst of budget cuts, politics, and our fact based, analytical world. So, to end on a “high note”, even though it may seem like music education only leads to “treble”, research shows it should not be “scaled” back. The world without music would “be

The environment of music education is one of the important constituents of music education. When kids are small, they look up to their parents as the authoritative figures. When they grow older into teenagers, they consider their friends and schoolmates as the authority. This natural phenomenon needs to be considered seriously! Before the age of 12, you as parents are the most influential figures in the children's life. Afterward, they will have more people in life to look up to, and have certain goals and

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

Lucy Kimbell Mr. Shawn Watkins Honors English IV 26 October 2016 The Benefits of Keeping Music Education in Schools Since the financial recession in 2008, 80% of schools in America have cut funding (Boyd). The first programs to go are that of music education. Although some schools have no choice, this cut in one of

Music is capable of helping children learn lifelong skills, and can make them overall a happier, creative, disciplined person. An article titled “Why Play Music-Kids” by Sharon Bryant states, “4 of 5 top benefits teachers see in the potential of music education to help students: express themselves (92%), become more confident (90%), develop better practice habits (89%), and more self-discipline (88%)” (Bryant 1). Children can sometimes struggle with social skills such as sharing, teamwork, confidence, and self-esteem. Children can learn to accomplish short-term goals to work towards a long-term goal through music. Becoming a master of an instrument is a long-term goal achieved over years of training. The persistence of reaching short-term goals to reach a long-term goal helps teach children how to make progress towards their dreams (“5 Reasons” 1). Another important life skill children can learn, is motivation and self-discipline. Students find motivation in the music they are learning. They must practice consistently and learn the music through self-discipline (“5 Reasons” 1). Along with self-discipline, a child can learn to not give up easily through lessons. Playing an instrument teaches kids to persevere through practice (Bryant 1). Students also learn the consequences of their actions and how to

Music classes, including choir, band and more never filling the halls with sound. Creative classes like journalism and creative writing, will now be prohibiting our freedom of speech. All these classes are the ones many find the most fun. These classes in particular are the ones being cut from schools. So many people think these programs are unnecessary, even though they help so many kids with their reading, writing, and math skills, as well as so much more. Yes, these programs can be costly at times, but many get donations and do their own fundraising. Though these programs can be costly, the benefits to these young adults taking these classes cannot be compared. “Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance,” (11 Facts About Arts in Education). The influence of music and arts throughout individuals’ lives has been proven to academically expand their

The Need for Required Music Education Over 2.1 million children around the country do not have access to a music education program (Pellegrinelli 2). These students that are not introduced to music education could be able to learn and understand mathematics and reading skills much more efficiently by simply introducing music into their lives (Taylor 2). When involved in music, anxiety and depression levels could decrease as well (“Landmark 1). Music is not required in all schools, and students could benefit from more music education (Braun 1). Even though many students dislike music and think it is too hard, schools should be obliged to require music classes through grade school because students that are actively involved in music gain many

learning to read music and understand concepts like time, rhythm, and pitch have a direct effect on a child’s ability to comprehend math skills. Secondly, studying the lyrics of music can teach students about syllabification, phonics, vocabulary, imagery, history, myths, folktales, geography, and culture. Also studies show there is a direct correlation between continued involvement in theater and success in math and reading. Students learning English as a second language may learn it faster with the use of music. Thematic learning helps children learn in a safe, enjoyable, student-centered environment. Students who take the time to master a musical instrument learn about hard work, practice, and discipline. While performing in a group – like