Music Education and the Benefits

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Recommended: The effects of music on the body and brain

Most understand that music is a useful tool for relaxation and leisure time. Fewer know that learning a musical instrument, or even listening to music for long periods of time, can have a positive impact on one’s academic abilities. Numerous researchers and college professors have looked into this correlation and again and again have produced data that confirms this common theory. Studying music can not only improve academic skills, but sharpen motor skills, memory, and create a well rounded, enriched individual.

Standardized testing is used across America to evaluate students’ development and learning in school. The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation’s Sound of Learning program recently conducted an experiment to evaluate the proficiency on standardized tests of students that were involved in a higher level music program in school. 4,739 students from middle school and elementary schools were included in this study. The elementary part of the study showed that students enrolled in a top quality music program scored 20 percent higher in math, and 22 percent higher in English classes and tests (Music Education can help..).Middle school results were similar to those of the elementary students (NAMM study reveals connection between music education & high test score). The president/CEO of the NAMM foundation, Joe Lamond, was quoted saying, “School administrators, teachers, and parents all agree that music and arts education contribute to children achieving their full potential, which is the purpose of our educational system and something we all care deeply about."

M.I.N.D (Musical Intelligence Neural Development) is another institute that has put years of work into showing and applying the correlation b...

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...ic education." Teaching Music June 2008: 14. Student Edition. Web. 8 Feb. 2012

"Education Through Music : Brain Comes Alive to Sound of Music." Education Through Music : Home. Richard Institute of Education and Research. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.
Green, Michael. "Education Through Music : The Arts Make Us Smarter." Education Through Music : Home. Richard Institute of Education and Research. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. http://richardsinstitute.org/Default.aspx?pg=47.

"Music Education Can Help Children Improve Reading Skills." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. ScienceDaily, 16 Mar. 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075843.htm.

Shaw, Gordon L. "Music to math: thinking in pictures." ChildArt Jan.-Mar. 2004: 16+. Student Edition. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.

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