The Importance of Music in 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.

* ““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).

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:

Playing an instrument stimulates the brain. Researchers from the University of Vermont discovered that musical training in the early stages can help kids focus their attention, control their emotions and can reduce their anxiety by strengthening the gray matter of the cortex. Not only that but it can also expand the one's creativity and make them more active, enhance coordination, improve reading and comprehension skills, enhance the capacity of memory, and boosts listening skills.

Over the past 20 years, numerous scientific studies found a strong positive relation between playing music, intellectual capacity, personal growth and social interaction with others. Researchers maintained that music can also help children in acquiring literacy, consequently improving their academic achievement. We now know that music impacts different areas of child development; including intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and literacy skills (Barrett & Bond, 2014).

First, in the area labeled success in society, Petress cites the Texas Commission on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse saying that teens in band and/or orchestra have the lowest rate of all substance abuse. He also cites Michael Greene that music education enhances spatial intelligence and is a solution to teen violence. Second, in the area labeled success in school, Petress cites College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers stating that students in music education tend to have higher scores on the SAT. He also states that students in music programs are less disruptive in schools. Third, in the area labeled success in developing intelligence, Petress “quotes Dr. John J. Ratey, M.D. saying ‘Dedicated [music] practice… can have a great payoff for lifelong attention skills, and an ability for self knowledge and expression.’”

Moreover, teachers at music schools have a healthy competition going on among themselves. Teachers sit together during a cup of coffee or over lunch and discuss issues and methods of music education every day. After concerts and tests, they discuss about the progress of each student. It's quite a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere in the teachers' room and this helps the younger teachers learn new things from the

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

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

There are multiple ways that music helps a student learn. When learning music, it helps with all forms of cognitive learning. Music helps a students to love to learn. It helps the brain to memorize. Music helps the student to learn patterns.”Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun

It seems that from the beginning of time, music has been an important part of people’s lives. However, today, it seems that the number of people who advocate the everlasting presence of music is dwindling, and the number of people only concerned with economic stability and the core curriculum in schools is rising. Budgets in schools are being cut, and the music programs are usually at the beginning of the list when a particular area is to be disbanded. Action is being taken against the loss of music education in schools, and the people fighting to save and rejuvenate this precious resource have established many strong arguments. Meghann C. Russell of Towson University says , "Several studies have shown that

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

After decades of research that support the positive effects of music on cognition and academic success, debates involving which purpose of teaching music is more important have risen. While one music

This source is an online article from a credible source: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Laura Lewis Brown, the author, is a writing professor. The article discusses the benefits of music education. Brown says in the article that studies have proven that music develops better language development, increased IQ,

Incorporating music into education courses will further achievement in multiple areas of learning. Education combined with music accommodates building language, confidence, creativity, open mindedness, and a stress free student. Also, it enhances brain development, physical coordination, and memory, visual and listening skills. Music makes learning exciting and enjoyable.