The Positive Effects Of Music And 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.

In today’s society, the value of music education is declining at an alarming speed. Many schools around the United States have been forced to cut spending on music in place of other classes that are viewed as being much more important. This is a travesty for our culture and for our future generations. Little does our society realize that there are many benefits that music education has to offer. The Government should make every kids take a music class of their choice at a young age.

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

James A. Keene has gathered an incredible amount of information on the interesting beginnings of music education in the United States. This text offers deep insight and a plethora of information regarding the beginnings of an area of education which has largely been neglected by scholars. For decades and in current teaching populations, the historical foundation and insight first developed by music educators from the earliest colonial times through present day has been unknown. From the introduction of vocal music to the growing interest of orchestral and band music and the a cappella choir movement, reactions to music remained both positive and negative, leading to continued advocation for music in the curriculum, arguing that music offered skill development and appreciation through exposure and practice.

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

Whether you play a musical instrument, or listen to it, it can have great influence in how a person can learn like a song to help them learn a certain order of words for a test. Mary points out that learning how to play music isn’t easy. However, after a student learns how to play, it usually brings joy to the individual and the people around them. Some tests have shown that students who have music in their lives do better academically. Students once again apply the elements of self-control and discipline into other classes. Music can affect a student’s social stand point as well. Music connects individuals, groups and even also connects countries. There are organizations that take students worldwide to share music. In sum music plays a key role not only in education, but in strengthening soul and emotional bonds amongst people in general. Music has integrated itself into the human life so much that it is imperative for us to survive because of the mind-set, relief it brings, and the spiritual side to it.

Music education should be taught in all schools. A quality music education program offers a variety of positive influences on children of all ages (President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities). Studies have shown that playing an instrument activates all areas of the brain, which can increase test scores and even focus throughout the day. Student’s participation in music education programs offer a more positive social circle. Students may also have opportunities to travel, perform in a variety of venues, and have more opportunities for scholarships. There are many positive reasons for having a music program in all schools. Some people would argue that a quality musical education is expensive. There are also some that would argue that music

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.

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.

“Music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and by studying music in schools, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective” -Bill Clinton. Majoring in music will teach one the requirements and skills necessary for the job, advantages and disadvantages of teaching music to children, and how concert band and marching band differ from each other.

Music is memorable – many persons can easily recall the lyrics to a favorite song no matter when they last heard it. Teachers can harness the power of music in order to help students remember and comprehend course material. According to the John Hopkins School of Education’s website, music has countless uses in the classroom. They cite that simply playing music brings energy to the classroom – improving moods and inspiring students to learn. In addition, allowing students to create their own music inspires creativity in the classroom and teachers can aid students in the memorization process by creating catchy tunes (Johns Hopkins). Finally, music brings culture into the classroom by integrating local flavors of life and human expression. Different regions can integrate their own music into the classroom which generates originality and personal localized expression. For my future classroom, I plan to take advantage of all these opportunities to help students

Opening the invigorating article, “Why Music Education? 2007” having so many atrocities pulling the world apart, music is a great way for bringing people together (9).

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.

Many people believe that arts and music programs hold no beneficial value to students other than for an extracurricular activity. Others believe that there are no benefits and that these activities are a waste of time. However, research has shown that music education provides great benefits and values to the adolescents that are involved in their schools music program (“Music Matters”). Music plays a large role in the advancement of academic scores and allows juveniles to express themselves in an inspiring way. Music education programs, be it instrumental or vocal, helps students to become successful later in life and goes to show that music is an important aspect of many children’s lives. 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.

The German philosopher, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, referred to a life without music as a mistake (“Don’t”). Unfortunately, many children never get the opportunity to discover the fulfillment that music can bring to their lives. They are denied this chance by an unfair educational system. Music education is beneficial to the student throughout his entire life, thus it should not be cast aside and neglected as it often is in the public school system today, but instead schools should do just the opposite; treat music education as a priority.