Budget Cuts are Destroying Music Education: Music Programs are Essential to Education

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Throughout history music has played an important role in society, whether it was Mozart moving people with his newest opera or the latest album from the Beatles. Where would society be today without music? With schools cutting their music programs, the next Mozart may not get his chance to discover his amazing talent. Music programs are essential to education. To fully understand this one must understand how music helps the human body, why schools have cut music programs, and why people should learn music. According to Laurence O’Donnell, “Music is thought to link all of the emotional, spiritual, and physical elements of the universe.” This proves that music is more than a simple class teaching random notes. It is a common denominator between mind, body, and learning. One scholar shows that music causes a response that can affect a person’s mood; this is directly related to how a person acts upon their emotional response to music. He later talks about how music can have a positive effect on memorization and brain function (O’Donnell). The Center for New Discoveries in Learning stated, “Learning potential can be increased a minimum of five times by using 60 beats per minute music” (qtd. in O’Donnell). Most of the music that follows these types of beats is classical music such a Mozart and Bach. This is the type of music taught in schools, thus, enhancing a student’s ability to learn. Occasionally music is used as medicine. One scholar shows that music can lower blood pressure, speed up stroke recovery, help you fall asleep, and help relieve pain (Surprising Effects of Music). Many schools provide a challenging curriculum for their students. Music classes would give students a chance to relax. Research demonstrates that liste... ... middle of paper ... ...link between emotional, spiritual, and physical elements. Works Cited O'Donnell, Laurence. "Music and the Brain." "Brain & Mind" Magazine. 1999. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . Rhoden, Paula. "Humboldt School District Cuts Music, Library Programs." The Prescott Daily Courier. 24 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . Severance, Scott. "Music: The Psychological Effects of Music." 1999. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. . Sturrock, Carrie. "Playing Music Can Be Good for Your Brain." Featured Articles from SFGate. Hearst Newspapers, 17 Nov. 2005. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. . "Surprising Effects of Music." 2007. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. . Van Harken, Joseph. "Budgets Cut Student Experience." CNN.com. 20 Aug. 2003. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. .

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