Why Music?

 

“Music brings people together. It enhances our lives, at every stage, and improves our health and wellbeing. Children and adults blossom when music is part of our lives. We learn to express emotions in a safe and nurturing environment, confidence and resilience improve, and we learn to work with others. We form connections across space and time to musical traditions near and far. We develop the skills and perseverance needed to thrive in every future endeavor, all while participating in a fun, creative outlet! Music changes lives.”

Dr. Andrea Dawson, Professor of Violin and Viola (MTSU School of Music) and Founder of Dow Street Community Music School

 

Top Ten Skills Children Learn from the Arts

  • Creativity
  • Confidence
  • Problem-Solving
  • Perseverance
  • Focus
  • Nonverbal Communication
  • Receiving Constructive Feedback
  • Collaboration
  • Dedication
  • Accountability

Music students have fun while they learn. They also:

  • Experience joy making music with their friends
  • Express their emotions in an inviting and encouraging space
  • Develop musical independence so that music can always be part of their life
  • Build awareness and respect of all peoples through the study of music from many cultures
  • Improve in other academic subjects as well
  • Make lifelong friendships through musical collaboration
  • Learn how to work with others and champion their successes
  • Develop the skills and perseverance needed for success in every future endeavor

 

The Arts ARE Education

It is imperative that all students have access to an equitable delivery of arts education that includes dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts that supports their education and well-being, taught by certified arts teachers in partnership with community arts providers

  • Arts education is key to unlocking potential in our students
  • Arts education nurtures the creation of a welcoming school environment where students can express themselves in a safe and positive way.
  • Arts education is part of a well-rounded education for all students as understood and supported by federal and state policymakers.

 

Dr- Sylvain Moreno (Rotman Research Institute) on Music Study and Cognitive Development

Musical training impacts a set of processes in the brain that are related to a whole host of other activities, from intelligence and reading to the ability to focus and do ‘well in school. When we understood that musical training is beneficial, we set out to learn the exact benefits and limits.

We started this way because there is a link between music and language. They’re both auditory activities and they share the same acoustic parameters. They even share the same goal of communicating to a human being.

So we studied reading and we have shown that musical training improves reading. We looked at verbal intelligence and there was an absolute trend of improvement. These were some of the positive intellectual benefits that we measured. […]

Our data have confirmed a rapid transfer of cognitive benefits in young children after only 20 days of music training. The strength of this effect in almost all of the children was remarkable.

Music is an incredibly powerful tool.

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