Music Education and Student Achievement

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The Case for Keeping Music Education in Our Schools

Music education is important for successful academic performance.  My personal experiences with my own children confirm my belief that music education is vital to student achievement.  My children showed marked improvement when music education was added to their daily routine, either within their school curriculum or through private lessons. My son’s academic performance improved when he began playing the trombone in his high school marching band. When my daughter began playing the piano, her ability to recall information improved along with her reading comprehension skills.  After a little more than one year of lessons, she now excels in every subject area.  Both children’s level of self confidence has greatly increased.  They both feel successful and now enjoy school and lead more fulfilled lives.

If you have the resources, and your child is willing, then music tuition is a great option. From classical piano to a guitar and looping pedal, every musical taste can be catered for. 

Many other parents have told me similar stories of both typical and special needs children. I am constantly hearing about how music helps their children focus, memorize things, and improve grades.
Our local teachers and administrators feel strongly that music education is directly correlated to student achievement.

Our middle school principal, Brad Brown, states, “When I was a HS principal in Calhoun GA ….. our STAR student/teacher area consisted of about 40 high schools ….every year at the awards banquet, students told a little about themselves and their plan for the future ….. I can say with confidence that about 80%+ were involved in some sort of music education (band, chorus, literary-quartet-trio, etc)”

Various teachers in our local schools state the following:

“I am a FIRM believer in music education in the schools! I have many students who don’t do well in other classes, but do very well for me. Also, I believe that music training lengthens attention span. In a world where students are bombarded with commercials every 10-15 minutes of a television show, things like music (which can go uninterrupted for 30-50 minutes sometimes) strengthen their ability to focus on one thing. Many students (even some that I don’t teach) pile in my room in the morning just to play the piano…even boys who wouldn’t be caught dead in a chorus class love music and enjoy playing an instrument.” – Ashley Conway, North Hall Middle School, Gainesville, Georgia

“Based on well over 23 years experience with hundreds and hundreds of top 10% students, I have always said that there is a strong correlation between intelligence, achievement, and music… I noticed very early in my career, especially while teaching advanced placement and honors classes, that large percentages of these students played musical instruments in the band or orchestra; sang in choir or in school plays, or used music as a basis for completing certain projects in social studies… I’m 100% convinced that the correlation is high!” – Rand Bissell, North Hall High School, Gainesville, Georgia

“I use a couple of songs in math to teach concepts. I have one for teaching mean, median, mode and range and then at the end of the last 9 weeks, I have one that teaches adding and subtracting integers. I know a couple of other teachers that use songs to teach concepts also.  My niece and nephew went to Athens Christian School and they can still sing some of the songs they used to learn formulas…” – Martha Hulsey, North Hall Middle School, Gainesville, Georgia

Although I have completed enough personal research to make my case, there is a wealth of information and research already available to anyone who wishes to educate themselves on the correlation between music education and student achievement.  An article written by Eileen Bailey in March of 2008 suggests that music helps students with Dyslexia. Her research revealed that the ability to process parts of the spoken language improved with mastering a musical instrument. When students hum to themselves or put mathematical facts or other information to music, their school performance improves. [Music Helps Children with Dyslexia, March 14, 2008, Eileen Bailey].

Many schools use Music Therapists to satisfy IEP (Individual Education Plan) goals. Music Therapists are utilized to help mainstreamed learners as well as improve communication skills and physical coordination [American Music Therapy Association, 1999, AMTA Website].

Music education helps both typical and special needs children improve performance in school. Parents, school administrators, teachers, and professionals around the nation agree. Music Education must continue to be a vital tool for improving student achievement. It is my hope that every school district in the nation will continue to make music education a priority and find a way to keep music education a part of the school curriculum.

You Might Also Like:  Resources for Classical Music Appreciation

Resources for Classical Music Appreciation

Resources for Classical Music Appreciation

Studies show that classical music education helps improve attention span and overall student achievement. You don’t have to be a musician to integrate classical music education into your curriculum. There are plenty of online resources to help you plan.  The following resources will help you integrate music education and classical music appreciation into your curriculum for your public school or home school classrooms.

The San Francisco Voice is a good place to start. The San Fransisco Voice offers readers the latest news regarding classical and other types of music. They offer tips and advice about music education, music teachers, and lessons. They also refer readers to other websites which aid in encouraging music education and appreciation.

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September is Classical Music Appreciation Month

San Francisco Symphony Kids is an interactive webpage which educates children about the instruments of the orchestra. Kids click on an instrument family to learn all about the instruments. The webpage also includes a music lab and updates on concerts and events suitable for children.

Broadway Musical Home provides information about Broadway musicals and theaters. The site keeps readers updated on currently playing musicals. Students who access the site can learn about the longest running musicals in Broadway history. They can also learn about the most popular musicals and Tony Award winners. Teachers can develop detailed lessons around such topics or simply allow students to access and explore the site on their own.

CarnegieHall.Org provides teachers and parents with games, listening guides, and more. Teachers, parents, and students can click on the following topics for resources: For K-12 Educators, Games and Listening Guides, Master Classes, For Teaching Artists, Performances, and Artists Interviews.

Classical Chops offers video interviews with famous musicians and composers. Students will enjoy an interactive page where they create their own classical music masterpiece. The Soundtrack Swap feature allows students to hear how music affects perception of video. By accessing the “Getting Started” tab, students can learn more about how to get into the music business. They can follow links to learn orchestration, learn how to write a song, learn about music notation software. Other links include: Music Career Ideas, Learn Key Signatures, Free Sheet Music, Free Printable Staff Paper, Ear Training, Music Theory, Classical Music Research and Appreciation, Find a Music Teacher, Performing Arts Schools in Los Angeles, Performing Arts Schools in Orange County, Music Scholarships, Making Music, Film Composing, Videos on Film Composing, Books on Film Composing, Education Programs on Film Composing.

Students can also upload their own classic music video on Classic Chops.

 

Classics for Kids allows kids to learn about Composers by topics such as “Composers by Musical Period” and “Composers by Timeline.” Students will access a Composer Map where they can click on a particular country and learn about the composers who lived there. Kids can also enter a Composer Time Machine and compose their own music. Students can listen to music, learn about music careers, and even make their own radio show. This site is attractively designed for kids and offers resources for adults such as lesson plans; activity sheets; and tips and advice. Adults can access a tab for “Parents” and a tab for “Teachers.”

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids allows kids to click on a Composer’s name and listen to his or her music. Composers are listed by the periods Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern. This site offers games such as Beethoven’s Baseball and Music Match. Children can access kid friendly music theory lesson and take advantage of great music practice tips. Kids learn by building Xylophones, making woodwind and stringed instruments, making chimes, and creating drums. Families will find a list of family friendly concerts and children can join a Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids Club where they will receive periodic emails which include music puzzles and event information.

Music and reading are two of the best educational activities you can offer your child. Here is a great educational book about Volcanoes. Your child will love it especially if your child enjoys science.

Volcanoes by Stephanie Turnbull

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