Why Kids Need Music In School

Why Kids Need Music in School

“Musical activity involves nearly every region of the brain that we know about, and nearly every neural sub system.” – Daniel Levitin

Think about a world where music never existed. That is something difficult to fathom. Music helps people express so many emotions and cope in ways that are not possible any other way. Music is not only a pastime, but it’s such an intellectual substance that most people overlook. Schools with music programs have a higher graduation rate and attendance rate compared to schools without music education in them.

Here are a couple of great articles that showcases why kids need music.

Article 1: Student Voices: Music education is more than an extracurricular

Choirs and bands both help students realize how important each individual part and voice is. Without one voice, the music is lacking in a certain aspect. But with the perfect balance from everyone working together, beautiful music is created. People learn the true meaning of teamwork because no one sits on the bench, and there are no substitutions. Music teaches synergy in a way that nothing else can.

Another important lesson music teaches is diligence. To be successful in music, one must practice and put forth an effort towards learning. “Normal” schoolwork does not always teach students that. Learners must focus on achieving their tasks and goals, and usually they can become very prosperous. Music truly is the best subject to teach diligence.

Last, but certainly not least, music is a true core academic subject. Music teaches math, science, history, English, and even other languages, such as Latin. Music teaches more than its share. Music activates unique parts of the brain in “special” ways (like mental exercise), and causes those parts to interact with other parts in ways that only happen when making music. Music not only helps with itself, but makes other subjects easier to learn as well.

Article 2: Music Lessons Were the Best Thing Your Parents Ever Did for You

If your parents ever submitted you to regular music lessons as a kid, you probably got in a fight with them once or twice about it. Maybe you didn't want to go; maybe you didn't like practicing. But we have some bad news: They were right. It turns out that all those endless major scale exercises and repetitions of "Chopsticks" had some incredible effects on our minds.

Psychological studies continue to uncover more and more benefits that music lessons provide to developing minds. One incredibly comprehensive longitudinal study, produced by the German Socio-Economic Panel in 2013, stated the power of music lessons as plain as could be: "Music improves cognitive and non-cognitive skills more than twice as much as sports, theater or dance." The study found that kids who take music lessons "have better cognitive skills and school grades and are more conscientious, open and ambitious." And that's just the beginning.

Summary

People believe that music should just be something students do in their free time. It is thought music has no real educational value, or that there just is not enough money for it to be funded. It is not seen as important as the “core” subjects of learning.

However, music education is too valuable to be cut from any school.

A school who wants successful students and test scores needs to make music education a priority. Music isn’t just a pastime or an extracurricular activity. Music is a well-rounded teacher that everyone needs to experience.

BlueTimbre is a Music hub with Music Education spaces, Jam Room and Recording studio located in India. BlueTimbre provides complete end-to-end Music Education solutions for schools. BlueTimbre management team comes with a decades of cumulative experience in running structured businesses, music curriculum development, music education and performance.

Sources:

https://mic.com/articles/110628/13-scientific-studies-prove-music-lessons-were-the-best-thing-your-parents-did-for-you#.7VdCYRRH8?platform=hootsuite

http://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/student-voices-music-education-is-more-than-an-extracurricular/article_fe5f5fe0-6c3c-11e4-b2ec-6f4a22da326a.html

http://temeculavalleychildrensmusic.com/