Music in the Classroom
"The challenge to American education has never been simply to raise test scores--that is a relatively recent and limited goal. The challenge has always been to raise citizens who are capable of active participation, in the social, cultural, political, and economic life of the world's longest experiment in democracy, an experiment demanding a free, educated and committed citizenry. We are amazed to discover anew the role of the arts in realizing that vision and creating that democracy." - Richard J. Deasy
In a 2010 report, music courses have declined more than 50% in the past five years. Student participation in music courses, the overall percentage of students involved in music courses, and the number of teachers teaching music courses in have declined dramatically over the past few years in many school systems. The decline has been so significant that music education has suffered the greatest losses in percentage enrollment, actual student enrollment, and teachers than any other academic subject. These losses are clearly disproportionate to those in any other academic subject. A study done in California showed student participation in music classes in public schools declined by 46.5%, representing a loss of 512,366 students The number of music teachers declined by 26.7%. That's a loss of 1,053 teachers.
Why is music important to students? |
Infants and children form neural connections in the brain through experience. These experiences are strengthened through repetition and can form stabilized neural pathways of cognitive processing that are fully established. “Once these pathways are formed, it as though they are hardwired and cannot be changed without much effort. Music and rhythm is essential to the developing brain as it helps to create and strengthen more neural connections that allow for auditory processing” (Minton, B.L., 2008).
In a 2007 study, elementary schools with high-functioning, superior music programs had students score 20% percent higher on math tests, compared to schools with no music programs or low-quality music programs (Brown, 2013). Studies show that instrumental practice enhances coordination, concentration and memory and also brings about the improvement of eyesight and hearing. Learning an instrument can redefine the way the brain develops, causing an increase in cortical thickness and plasticity.