20 Important Benefits of Music in Our Schools - National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

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20 Important Bene!ts of Music In Our Schools

July 21, 2014

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This article original appeared on Bachelors Degree

http://www.bachelorsdegree.org/2011/03/10/20-important-bene!ts-of-music-

in-our-schools/).

early everyone enjoys music, whether by listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. But despite

his almost universal interest, many schools are having to do away with their music education

rograms. This is a mistake, with schools losing not only an enjoyable subject, but a subject that can

nrich students’ lives and education. Read on to learn why music education is so important, and how it

" ers bene!ts even beyond itself.

. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical

raining will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain

s better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds.

. A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are

onstantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in

ducation and beyond.

. Students learn to improve their work: Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and studentsearn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects

f study.

. Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-

ye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.

. A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a

hallenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to

eel proud of their achievement.

. Kids stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged

n school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.

!

"

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. Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character.

tudents in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education

an greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.

. Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy

owards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with anxiety.

. Students learn pattern recognition: Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition

kills with the help of musical education. Playing music o" ers repetition in a fun format.

0. Better SAT scores: Students who have experience with music performance or appreciation score

igher on the SAT. One report indicates 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math for

tudents in music appreciation courses.

1. Fine-tuned auditory skills: Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing

lements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a baby’s cry. Students who practice music can have

etter auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise.

2. Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood

ears can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the

whole brain and develops a child’s imagination.

3. Music can be relaxing: Students can !ght stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is

specially helpful in helping kids relax.

4. Musical instruments can teach discipline: Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a

aluable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of

earning with discipline to master playing their instrument.

5. Preparation for the creative economy: Investing in creative education can prepare students for

he 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may

row faster than others in the future.

6. Development in creative thinking: Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This kind

f education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may

e more than one right answer.

7. Music can develop spatial intelligence: Students who study music can improve the development

f spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures.

patial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more.8. Kids can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band

r orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.

9. Responsible risk-taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches

ids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their

otential.

0. Better self-con!dence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a

musical instrument can build pride and con!dence. Musical education is also likely to develop better

ommunication for students.

ink to Original Article by Bachelors Degree (http://www.bachelorsdegree.org/2011/03/10/20-

mportant-bene!ts-of-music-in-our-schools/)

http://www.bachelorsdegree.org/2011/03/10/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/


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MUSIC EDUCATION · ORCHESTRATING SUCCESS

eachers, Music Parents, Students, and Advocates: looking for more information on music’s bene!ts?

heck out these other resources:

Learn about music’s new standing in federal education law on the Everything ESSA resource

page (http://bit.ly/NCLBends)

Support music in underserved communities (http://bit.ly/GANDonate)

5 Ways to Support Your Music Program (http://www.nafme.org/take-action/5-ways-to-support-

your-music-program/)

broader minded Brochure (http://www.nafme.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/brochure.pdf)

and Other Resources (http://www.nafme.org/take-action/advocacy-resources/broader-minded-

media-resources/)

NAfME’s Music In a Minuet Blog (http://www.nafme.org/category/news/music-in-a-minuet/) –

search by category on this page (http://www.nafme.org/community/breaking-news/)

ags: advocacy (http://www.nafme.org/tag/advocacy/), band (http://www.nafme.org/tag/band-3/),

horal (http://www.nafme.org/tag/choral/), General Music (http://www.nafme.org/tag/general-music/),

music bene!ts (http://www.nafme.org/tag/music-bene!ts/), music education

http://www.nafme.org/tag/music-education/), orchestra (http://www.nafme.org/tag/orchestra-3/)

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20 Important Benefits of Music in Our Schools - National Association for Music Education (NAfME)