In developing some of America's first curriculum for public schools, prominent educator Lowell Mason wrote:
"Music is itself a discipline of the highest order. In fact, a coordination of mind, eye, ear, and heart; united toward one purpose. The development of the musical faculty contributes to the development of the WHOLE man. Good music tends to improve the heart, thus promoting the cause of human happiness, virtue, and faith."
The demand for academic basics- English, math, science, and history are at an all time high. Add to that computer literacy, physical education and sports, foreign language, health, business, and family life, and where does music education fit in?
Music also provides the opportunity for students to develop the capacity to use this knowledge in a way that ultimately contributes to improving the overall quality of life. Students acquire knowledge through discovery and revelation, perception and observation, comparison and contrast, and they conclude on the basis of understanding.
Music brings together a unique way of knowing and understanding. It has been statistically proven the development occurs in all the aforementioned subject areas, but with an added element. Music combines human knowledge in a unique practical sense existing as a "feelingful intelligence".
While emotional, theoretical, and philosophical justification are valuable and sometimes necessary, many parents, colleagues, legislators, administrators, and members of the community at large may have a greater appreciation for a statistical verification of the value of music in education. The following should leave little doubt that music is an essential part of a child's education.
+ Children raised in cultures rich with music develop learning and communication skills more quickly than those without.
+ Music experiences instill positive attitudes, a positive self-image, a desire to achieve excellence, and the ability to set and achieve goals.
+ Students participating in music outperform non-music students on achievement tests in the areas of math, reading, and comprehension. These differences become greater the longer the student participates in music. Students participating in music also have consistently higher grade point averages and score higher on SAT's.
+ Music teaches children the value of teamwork and community, thus moving away from egocentrism and toward self-giving.
+ Music helps to develop better listening and concentration skills, as well as fine motor coordination.
+ Music students have a greater opportunity to learn, in a more constructive environment, attributes such as perseverance, self-determination, creativity, integrity, and hard work.
+ Many institutions of higher learning seek out students who have participated in musical organizations.
+ Musical training can be a big help in "getting to the top". Over 90% of all CEO's and legislators surveyed said that playing a musical instrument helped them develop the character and leadership skills needed to perform their job.
Thinking musically means thinking holistically. Music's "feelingful intelligence" gives children the ability to consider and process many things simultaneously. This means developing the ability to see a multitude of answers to a given problem. Combined with helping to develop a number of other attributes, (i.e. self-esteem, co-operation, and perseverance against challenging adversities) there is little doubt whether or not we need to make music an essential basic for a more complete education of our children.
WHY MUSIC EDUCATION?
