The Power of Music: Music Belongs in Schools

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Introduction
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the wind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything”
- Plato
Since the days of Plato, and even before, music has made an impact on many. We find music everywhere we go. It can be playing in stores, elevators, while we are on hold on the phone, and in the television shows we watch each night, just to name a few. Music can affect how we feel and what we feel. Movies for example, have specific soundtracks. Many of us can remember the specific theme songs from our favorite movies: “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from The Breakfast Club, “Circle of Life” from The Lion King, and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. The music created for these moments create memories and stick for life. Remembering the event, just by a song is a great feat. Learning about this powerful language called music can be very helpful to children. Understanding how to create sound, specifically, how to create music with purpose, kids learn a new way to express themselves in ways that they would have never done before. By doing so in a school setting, the kids are able to have equal opportunity to learn this specific art. Parents should be in support of music programs in schools to help children express themselves in ways that standardized subjects cannot.
Academic Research
Every year the opportunity for children to participate in visual arts programs dwindle. Throughout the nation, budgets suffer because of the lack of funds for education. This is particularly evident in the arts, whether it is art classes, music classes or drama classes. In New York City, from 2006-2007 and 2010, the arts programs were cut by 68%. In a specific high school, the ...

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...Retrieved Apr. 20, 2014, from http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/08/30/music-education-why-does-not-have-expensive-why-should-stay-schools.
Phifer, M. (2011). Despite White House Report Advocating Art Education, Budgets Face Cuts. Retrieved Apr. 20, 2014, from http://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/cutbacks-white-house-report-advocates-arts-education/story?id=13582683&singlePage=true.
Pilcher, J. (2010). What not to wear? girls, clothing, and ‘showing’ the body. Children & Society, (24). 416-70.
Public Boardcasting Station. (2014). The Benefits of Music Education. Music & Arts. Education. | PBS Parents. Retrieved Apr. 20, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/
Qi, Y. (2012). The significance of music in early childhood education. Educating Young Children: Learning & Teaching In The Early Childhood Years, 18(2), 40-42.

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