Music in Education

Why Music Is Important To Having A Complete Education

With school budget cuts, and no music instruments, more and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of having music in education. Providing music as part of education helps develop intelligence that leads to greater success in school and in life. Everyone from VH1 Save The Music to The National Association For Music Education agree that, “Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts.” These two companies are doing everything they can to get out the information about music, and the importance of resorting music education as part of the core curriculum.

The first benefit of giving a child an instrument is the success in society. “Researchers have found that children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse,” says VH1. Music is apart of everyday culture in America. It is used for “ideas and ideals,” (MENC) and the values are accounted for in a number of places. “Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs).”-Texas Commission on drug and alcohol abuse report. VH1 has also done research, and found that a “students involvement in their school music program is crucial to a complete education. Musical Study, develops critical thinking and self discipline skill, improves a child’s early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills, and school attendance.”

Another benefit of music education is the “success in school.” Having success in school directly leads to having success in society. If you learn the disciplines of music, I believe it will transfer over to other areas of your life such as school. For me, learning to play guitar, and the discipline of having to practice critical thinking, has really helped me in my study habits. MENC and the College-Bound Seniors National Report also say that “Student with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT.” “57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math.” Physician and Bio...

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... just how, in many ways music is benefiting his life.

“Troy Boston is from Washington D.C. and is a multi-talented student in the seventh-grade at Jefferson Junior High School. He is 12 years old and plays both the French horn and Percussion. Troy began playing both instruments in the third grade, but after a year, the music program was cut leaving him to fell “very disappointed.” The music teacher at his school tried to keep the program running, but he could not raise sufficient funds. VH1 Save The Music came to Marie Reed Community Learning Center and donated $10,000 worth of instruments, and Troy “felt blessed.” He feels grateful that he has had the chance to be introduced to music. Troy’s talents are not limited to music. He is also a black-belt in Karate and is a member of the Dance Institute of Washington D.C. taking ballet, tap and jazz. Troy says that music has “allowed him a great opportunity at such a young age.” He enjoys “playing and dancing” to music. Music helps him “to relax” and to stay “calm and open-minded.” Troy favorite thing about playing music is when he “gets all the notes right. I feel excellent.”