RESEARCH SHOWS…..
-People who participate in the arts live longer than others, according to a Swedish study.
British Medical Journal, 1996
-College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor
in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time
management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness. –Carl Hartman, “Arts May
improve Students’ Grades,” The Associated Press, October, 1999
-Researchers at the University of Muenster in Germany have discovered that music
lessons in childhood actually enlarge parts of the brain. An area used to analyze the pitch
of a musical note is enlarged 25% in musicians compared to people who have never
played an instrument. The earlier the musicians were when they started musical training,
the bigger this area of the brain appears to be.-Pantev et al., Nature, April 23, 1998
-On the 1999 SAT, music students continued to outperform their non-arts peers, scoring
61 points higher on the verbal portion and 42 points higher on the math portion of the
exam. –Steven m. Demorest and Steven J. Morrison, “Does Music Make You Smarter?,”
Music Educators Journal, September, 2000.
-Second and third grade students who were taught fractions through musical rhythms
scored one hundred percent higher on fractions tests than those who learned in the
conventional manner. “Rhythm Students Learn Fractions More Easily,” Neurological
Research, March 15, 1999.
-A majority of the engineers and technical designers in Silicon Valley are also practicing
musicians. –The Case of Sequential Music Education in the Core Curriculum of the
Public Schools, Center for the Arts in the Basic Curriculum, 1997.
-A two-year Swiss study involving 1,200 children in 50 schools showed that students
involved in the music program were better at languages, learned to read more easily,
showed an improved social climate, demonstrated more enjoyment in school, and had a
lower stress level than non-music students. –E.W.Weber, M.Spychiger, and J.L. Patry,
1993.
Quotes About Music Education
“Music is exciting. It is thrilling to be sitting in a group of musicians playing (more or
less) the same piece of music. You are part of a great, powerful, vibrant entity. And
nothing beats the feeling you get when you’ve practiced a difficult section over and over
and finally get it right. (yes, even on the wood block.) Music is important. It says things
your heart can’t say any other way, and in a language everyone speaks. Music crosses
borders, turns smiles into frowns, and vice versa. These observations are shared with a
ope: that, when schools cut back on music classes, they really think about what they’re
doing—and don’t take music for granted.” -Dan Rather—CMS News
“In every successful business…there is one budget line that never gets cut. It’s called
“Product Development”—and it’s the key to any company’s future growth. Music
education is critical to the product development of this nation’s most important
resource—our children.” -John Sykes—President, VH1
“Music is an essential part of everything we do. Like puppetry, music has an abstract
quality which speaks to a worldwide audience in a wonderful way that nourishes the
soul.” -Jim Henson—television producer and puppeteer
“It is our job, as parents, educators, and friends, to see that our young people have the
opportunity to attaint he thorough education that will prepare them for the future. Much
of that education takes place in the classroom. We must encourage our youngsters in
such pursuits as music education. In addition to learning the valuable lesson that it takes
hard work to achieve success, no matter what the arena, music education can provide
students with a strong sense of determination, improved communication skills, and a host
of other qualities essential for successful living.” -Edward H. Rensi—President and
Chief Operation Officer, U.S.A. McDonald’s Corporation
“While most of us will never sing like Aretha Franklin or Celine Dion, an education in
the arts can help all of us reach our individual dreams. Research now shows that music
education not only lifts our children’s hearts, but also dramatically increases their abstract
reasoning, spatial skills, and their scores on math and verbal exams. At a time when too
many arts education programs are the first to be cut and the last to be added, all of us
must send a clear message. When it comes to igniting our children’s ability to learn and
imagine, the arts must be just as central to our children’s education as the three R’s.” Hillary Rodham Clinton, former First Lady and Senator of the United States.
“Music Education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around
them—a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future
of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes
music. -Gerald Ford, former President of the United States