There are endless arguments about the value of music education. These debates largely revolve around the education sector, where there are more demands than the resources available to meet them. School administrators are thus forced to make choices, and these choices are often not in favor of music education.
“It takes time away from academics.”
“You won’t able to get a job in that field at all.”
“You can’t survive in society if you are stuck on music.”
In America, it may seem like we accept music education, but school districts everywhere are dropping music and art curriculums because of budget cuts. The students’ lack of participation, enrollment and knowledge about these departments cause the school administrators to discontinue these classes. Via Buffalo News
Unfortunately, music education is now generally ignored by many individuals, institutions and communities. Although its benefits are simply undeniable, music education simply does not receive the attention it deserves anymore. However, it is important to carefully examine the negative effects that could result when music education is ignored or altogether forgotten.
Based on the facts that exist on the benefits of musical teaching, we can deduce some of the possible negative effects that would result from its absence. For instance, in arguing against the assumption that music education takes time away from academics, music students actually tend to perform better in other disciplines.
The many benefits of music education in schools are proven and well documented. Multiple studies have shown kids who study music consistently achieve higher grades and maintain better self-esteem, creative abilities, critical thinking skills and self-discipline. There is an added bonus as well, as many college scholarship opportunities exist for music students. Via Lake County Examiner
Music education also strengthens brain-cell connection – you will respond to things more quickly – and these connections and nerves will last longer in life.
Along with that, music education teaches discipline and manners, helps kids stay engaged in school, builds imagination and creativity, raises SAT scores and improves overall grade point averages, leading to scholarships and higher graduation rates. Via Buffalo News
A world without music education may possibly lead to a workforce that is less productive, unpleasant personalities, lower language skills and higher levels of stress in the society.
Research has shown that when exposed to musical instruments, the brain works a lot harder than it normally does (which means it gets tasks done faster); positivity shows more in the personality; language skills (along with speech) are enhanced, and stress is relieved. Via Buffalo News
Additionally, a world without music education may be vulnerable to higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease.
Perhaps most interesting is that music education has been proven to reduce a person’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease…
This summer, CNN showed a documentary on country singer/songwriter Glen Campbell as he struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. In the movie “I’ll Be Me,” Campbell at times fails to remember his family’s faces and names, the date, and sometimes the lyrics to his songs, but when Campbell performs his tunes and his insane guitar “licks” on stage in front of thousands of fans, it’s impossible to see that he is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Via Buffalo News
Another argument against music education is that many adults that were engaged in music education in their childhood are not as engaged in music in their adult life. In other words, if we something will not ultimately become a part of our adult lives, then there’s no use learning it during childhood.
Unfortunately, while such arguments are often put forward when talking about music, this faulty premise would not be applied to subjects such as math or literature. Although calculus and Shakespeare may not be important in your latter years, the content itself is considered important because it affects the way you think. And the truth is that music education is no different.
The same holds true for music. Learning an instrument is difficult and there can be no guarantee that kids will continue to play throughout their adult lives, but the process of learning music itself has value. And not just for the appreciation of music, but for the hours of practice and patience required to learn a musical instrument. Anything worth doing takes years to master, and our kids won’t come to understand that playing foosball. Via Medium
It’s also worth noting that while the Western world seems to be increasingly ignoring the value of a musical education, many parts of the world are actually enhancing it as a vital part of their societies.
In India, Venezuela and the Congo, people are trying to improve music education in their society by creating after-school clubs dedicated to music, like Music Basti from India, El Sistema from Venezuela, the Recycled Orchestra from Paraguay and the Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra from Congo. Via Buffalo News
@alisonbalsom on #DesertIslandDiscs passionately defending music education. Music is as vital for living as maths. Inspiring stuff.
— Fevered Sleep (@feveredsleep) October 9, 2015
A good reminder of why the arts matter… Top 10 skills children learn from the arts http://t.co/Nvf0zXFoRr #musiceducation — NAfME (@NAfME) October 8, 2015
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An Open Letter to All Boards of Education About the Power of Music and the Arts in Schools
Dear Board of Education Members:
Usually someone like me is writing to you at the end of the year, pleading for no cuts to be made to our arts programs. But I decided to be proactive and write this at the beginning of the year — instead focusing on discussing with you ways in which our programs should grow and prosper, not just survive.
Too often, our community is forced to defend the arts in the face of budget season, but we can do better than this. We need to utilize this “quieter” time of year to not only celebrate the arts in education, but to discuss ways to fully incorporate it into the lives of our children so that we rarely need to discuss dismantling our programs ever again. Via Music Parent Guide
Jason Mraz Sounds Off on the Value of Music Education
The “I’m Yours” singer is best known for his catchy lyrics and uplifting harmonies, but Mraz also partners with programs like VH1 Save the Music to make sure people have the same opportunities he had.
Jason Mraz didn’t know he would pursue music as a career until he was in high school, but music was a part of his life well before his teenage years. As a child, he would rather listen to music than watch TV. Via Education and Career News
Music education is worth fighting to keep
I was a music educator for almost 40 years, in the elementary school system for several of those, and as a private piano teacher for 37 years, and I understand the constant battle that music teachers are fighting.
Back in the 1970s, there was rumour that the Ministry of Education was going to eliminate private music certificates as a high school credit. As president of the Scarborough Ontario Music Teacher¹s Association at that time, I spearheaded a strong protest with the help of our group.
We drafted a letter, and had parents, teachers, students, and everyone we could find to mail this letter to the Ministry. Via My Kawartha
