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The Sound of Music
The Influence of Music Education
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
In addition, the benefits of music education reach into academics as well. "Music lessons appear to strengthen the links between brain neurons and build new spatial reasoning," says psychologist Frances Rauscher at the University of California-Irvine. "Music instruction can improve the spatial intelligence for long periods of time – perhaps permanently. If parents can't afford lessons, they should at least buy a musical keyboard or sing regularly with their kids and involve them in musical activities."
Ernest Boyer's High School: A Report on Secondary Education in America lists the arts as second in curriculum priority after language in the proposed core of common learning. In addition, Boyer states that music is ranked first among subjects most liked by students and receives high rankings in the areas of importance and difficulty.
"My favorite class is definitely band," says Cody David, a seventh grade student in Asheville, N.C. "I started playing the saxophone two years ago and love it. I'd rather not have gym or even study hall than not have band. It feels good to learn a new song and be able to play it for my mom or dad."
Parents must get involved to make these meaningful memories part of your child's life. Join your local music support group, find out about your local arts council and attend your local school board meetings to make sure the fine arts do not get shorted by budget cuts. Get involved! Sit in on your child's music lesson and learn what you can do to help.
"I agree that these benefits are more than positive," Mickela says. "As directors we need to be more vocal about the benefits of participation in music and share this kind of information with school boards, principals, parents and students. Combining this kind of information with the scientific data available concerning the positive impact of music is a powerful argument that needs to be shared with the public."