Why is Music Education in Schools

Important?
by guest blogger | Arts Education and Integration

It seems these days, music education is being offered less and less in many school
systems. Unfortunately, many schools have begun to exclude music from their
curriculums to make room for other subjects.
Music is an extremely important subject for all children to learn and can lead to better
brain development, increases in human connection, and even stress relief. As music is
removed from schools, children will no longer receive these benefits unless they enroll
in private lessons, which is much too expensive for some families to afford.
Here are five reasons why music education in schools is important:
#1) Music stimulates brain development in
children

Photo Source: https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-133065827/stock-photo-group-of-children-with-teacher-

enjoying-singing-group

Various studies have found that engagement with music can lead to an improvement in
brain development in children. A study at Northwestern University found better neural
processing in students who played a musical instrument when they were compared with
students who simply listened to music. This study shows the importance of receiving
music education, rather than simply turning on background music when students are
doing work in other subjects. Other studies have also found increases in IQ points in
children who engaged with music. When compared with students who didn’t take any
music lessons, musically-engaged students had more improvements in IQ subtests,
index scores, and a standardized measure of academic achievement.
If you’re interested in enrolling your child in music lessons outside of the school system
for more engagement with music, take a look at this article to learn about the costs.
Music education is also a great way to enhance reading comprehension abilities in
children. Anotherstudy, which was also conducted at Northwestern University, found
that students who actively participated in music classes had better speech processing
abilities along with higher reading scores than children who weren’t involved. Reading is
an important skill for all children to develop because it is needed for all subjects. Even
subjects that are not related to English literature will involve reading. For example, math
word problems require excellent reading comprehension abilities in order to answer
them correctly.

#2) Music is a way to connect with other people

Music education is also important because it will give students a way to connect with
other people. Children are naturally very social, and it’s important to encourage them to
build relationships by providing them experiences to share with each other. Creating a
school band or small ensemble, or encouragings participation in a chorus will allow
children to work together towards a final product (such as an end-of-year performance).
This encourages bonding and will provide students with something to reminisce on
together in the future.
It has been proven time and again that having people of all ages play or listen to music
together will help to create bonds. Having an impromptu drumming circle or listening to
and enjoying a piece of recorded music can connect people through sound, singing and
even movement or dance. Musical experiencessuch as these can bring back a fond
memory or create new ones!
#3) Music integrates many different subjects

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part-in-music-lesson

Another reason music education is so important is that it integrates so many different

subject areas all at once. Not only will music education allow children to develop their
musical skills, it will also give them the opportunity to work on their math skills, reading
and writing skills, science skills, and history knowledge. For example, time signatures in
music are an excellent way to incorporate fractions, and lyric analysis and songwriting
will allow students to work on their reading abilities.
Additionally, having discussions about how instruments work will involve information on
the physics of sound, and learning about music’s place in society will shine a light on
important historical events. If teachers are concerned about their students’ skills in other
areas of learning, they will be able to incorporate them into a music class with ease.
#4) Music teaches discipline
Music will also teach children to develop time management skills and discipline. If
students are expected to learn their instruments and practice outside of school, then
they will develop the ability to create a practice schedule and balance every other
activity they have going on in their lives. Learning discipline and time management from
a young age will have countless benefits on a child’s future. For example, if a child
develops discipline in elementary school, they will be much more able to balance the
workload they’ll receive in high school and excel in their classes.
Excelling in their high school classes may then allow a student to choose a reputable
post-secondary institution that he or she would like to attend, which will lead to better
job prospects as an adult.
#5) Music can relieve stress

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headphones-pretty-child-listening-to-the-music-schoolgirl-having-f

Finally, music is an excellent way to relieve stress, which is significant for students who
may feel overwhelmed by schoolwork and try to balance extracurricular
activities.Studies have found that music can reduce burnout and improve mood states.
As students enter into the upper grades of the school system and begin considering
applying for post-secondary schools, they might feel overwhelmed with the need to
keep their grades high. Even young students can experience stress with the increasing
amounts of homework school curriculums require. Some students may also have
stressful home lives, and music will offer a way to escape from these situations.
 In addition, you may consider Soundtracking your classroom to help relieve stress and
anxiety for your students. Doing so can also help create a focused learning atmosphere.
Music has many benefits to people of all ages. It’s important to know why so that we
can continue to advocate for keeping music education in our schools!

About me:
20 Important Benefits of Music In Our Schools
 July 21, 2014

 71 Comments

20 Important Benefits of Music In Our Schools

 VLADGRIN | iStock | Thinkstock

This article originally appeared on the Bachelors Degree website.

Nearly everyone enjoys music, whether by listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. But
despite this almost universal interest, many schools are having to do away with their music
education programs. This is a mistake, with schools losing not only an enjoyable subject, but a
subject that can enrich students’ lives and education. Read on to learn why music education is so
important, and how it offers benefits even beyond itself.

1. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical
training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the
brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds.

2. A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are
constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in
education and beyond.

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

4. Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-
eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.

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

challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able
to feel proud of their achievement.
6. Kids stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and
engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.

7. Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and
character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime.
Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well.

8. Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy
towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with
anxiety.

9. Students learn pattern recognition: Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition
skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun format.

10. Better SAT scores: Students who have experience with music performance or appreciation
score higher on the SAT. One report indicates 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on
math for students in music appreciation courses.

11. Fine-tuned auditory skills: Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing
elements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a baby’s cry. Students who practice music can
have better auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise.

12. Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood
years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the
whole brain and develops a child’s imagination.

13. Music can be relaxing: Students can fight stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is
especially helpful in helping kids relax.

14. Musical instruments can teach discipline: Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a
valuable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of
learning with discipline to master playing their instrument.

15. Preparation for the creative economy: Investing in creative education can prepare students for
the 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may
grow faster than others in the future.

16. Development in creative thinking: Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This
kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there
may be more than one right answer.

17. Music can develop spatial intelligence: Students who study music can improve the
development of spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form
mental pictures. Spatial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more.

18. Kids can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a
band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.
19. Responsible risk-taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so
teaches kids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach
their potential.

20. Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a
musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better
communication for students.

Link to Original Article by Bachelors Degree

Teachers, Music Parents, Students, and Advocates: looking for more

information on music’s benefits? Check out these other resources:

 Learn about music’s new standing in federal education law on the Everything ESSA resource
page
 NEW: Music advocacy flyer
 Support music in underserved communities
 Learn what NAfME is doing to support music education, and how you can help.
 Read the latest in music education advocacy news.
 Music Advocates: Join NAfME today to make a difference for music. Learn more.
 5 Ways to Support Your Music Program
 NAfME’s Music In a Minuet Blog – search by category on this page

Did this blog spur new ideas for your music program? Share them on Amplify! Interested in
reprinting this article? Please review the reprint guidelines.

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) provides a number of forums for the sharing
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Tags: advocacy, band, choral, General Music, music benefits, music education, orchestra
 The aim of this research is to identify the problems encountered by primary school
teachers and to makesuggestions to solve the problems. This is a descriptive study and
also a case study. A questionnaire form wasused for data collection. The surveys were
administered on the elementary education teachers working underAnkara Province
Directorate of the Ministry of Education in 2006 – 2007 academic year. The data
collectedwere analyzed using SPSS program and statistical analyses were carried out.
It was concluded that theprimary school teachers’ music education was not sufficient
and that they had encountered problems inimproving themselves with regard to music
education. A number of suggestions were made in line with theresults obtained.
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Citations (4)
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 ... From the psychological perspective, music which signifies feelings when individuals
are happy, sad, angry, peaceful or calm is a subsidiary in developing the ability of self-
expression, socialization and gaining a place within the society through musical events.
On the other hand, from the cultural perspective, it plays a role in sharing, protecting
and transferring various cultural elements and traditional motives in sociological settings
through generations (Kilic, 2009;E. F. Turkmen, 2016). ...
The Effect of Choral Participation on Middle School Students’ Life Satisfaction
Article
Full-text available

o Oct 2018
o Bagde Yilmaz
o Gulnihal Gul
o Doruk Engur

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 ... In fact, music education field that has a tremendous impact on an individual's
development from many perspectives has been governed in Turkey and in around the
world by classroom teachers who are not raised in the music profession (Battersby &
Cave, 2014;Collins, 2014;Giles & Frego, 2004;Hash, 2010;Hennessy, 2001;Seddon &
Biasutti 2008). In-service classroom teachers (ICT) and prospective classroom teachers
(PCT) may have the awareness that music education is beneficiary for educa- tion and
 development of children, that it is necessary for performing their profession, while PCT,
sometimes, may feel disqualified to conduct music lessons (Barış & Özata, 2009;Kılıç,
2009;Kılıç & Acat, 2007;Kocabaş, 2000;Kurtuldu, 2009;Özmentes & Gürgen, 2010).
However, education practices in most countries (including Turkey) considers classroom
teachers as music teachers in elementary schools since classroom teachers spends
their most time with the same students and they are more prone to associate music with
other disciplines. ...

Prospective Classroom Teachers' Attitudes toward Music Education in Teacher Education

Program 1
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o Nov 2017
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Ilhan Özgül

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 ... According to the findings of the research, it has come to light that subject teachers
start to work in the field of special education without having gained sufficient knowledge
about special education during their pre-service training. In the literature, it has been
determined that the teachers who could not receive adequate or efficient education
about their working area during their pre-service training, feel insufficient, have negative
attitudes and are at a higher risk of burnout (Güven, 2011;Babaoğlan and Yılmaz,
2010;Kılıç, 2009;Alpay, 2009;Sabancı and Şahin, 2006;Sarı and Bozgeyikli, 2003;Oral.
2000). ...

Qualifications of Subject Teachers in Special Education Schools

Article
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o Mar 2018
o Meryem Uçar Rasmussen
o

Arzu Tanriverdi

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 A study of teacher confidence in teaching music within the context of the introduction of
the Foundation Phase (0-7 years) statutory Education Programme in Wales’,

Article

o Jul 2014
o

Gary Beauchamp

o Lara Baldwin

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 Show more
 Aside from problems with the actual teaching, most independent teachers I know complain
more about he difficulties of collecting payment than anything else. People who expect to
be able to turn up to their reserved lesson slot once every six weeks and not pay for the
ones they miss, people who don’t turn up when it’s the day they’re supposed to pay up,
people expecting a lesson to still last the full time when they turned up with only five
minutes to go, and so on.

The perception seems to be that (especially if lesson time is on the evening which is their
“free time”) it’s just a hobby for the teacher and doesn’t matter - even that it’s a bit of bonus
free time - when a student doesn’t turn up.

343 views · View 5 Upvoters

Related QuestionsMore Answers Below

 Music Teachers: What do you do with a student who doesn't practice?

 What are some of the key challenges or pain points you face as a music teacher?
 What is the most challenging part of being a music teacher in the schools today?
 What are the challenges of being a private music teacher?
 What do you think the biggest problem is in learning or participating in music today?

Dion Kara, Music teacher with over 20 years experience.

Answered Oct 19, 2016 · Author has 760 answers and 307k answer views

In my experience it is dealing with children that have been forced into playing an
instrument. There is no real passion or will to improve so it takes a lot of imagination and
skill to get them to have any joy for music.

Dealing with an over zealous parent that expects their child to be some kind of prodigy
generally is attached to the above paragraph. The only way to deal with this is to be brutally
honest. Not all parents take to kindly to being told that their child doesn't want to play an
instrument.

I hope this helps.

973 views · View 6 Upvoters