Music Education Is Gaining Strength Once Again

For centuries, melodies have been a source for soothing the soul, celebrations, and to excite the senses and stir emotions. Music has the ability to create ideas, inspire notions, or focus thoughts. Research of late supports the effects of music on the brain and how individuals learn. Educational institutions, most notably public and private schools, are suffering to some extent from the lack of this fine art.

The past three decades have shown incredible decreases in the number of music programs currently active in schools across the country. So much has the decline occurred, that it has caught the attention of the public at large. Fortunately, there are those within the education business who are working to increase the awareness of music education and its importance for all students.

It has been touted for a few decades that students must be tested more thoroughly in order to determine their education level. Additionally, this was to expose areas of weakness or show where any respective student needs to improve. In the process, fine arts programs took a serious hit. While the large portion of program closings were due to budget shortfalls, the program suffered also due to a lack of interest.

Students are now being exposed more and more to the opportunity of music programs within their schools or community. Most urban schools and larger suburban schools typically have fairly strong band, choir, and other music courses available. Competitions are used as means for creating a competitive atmosphere among schools across each state.

By having opportunities to compete among peers, there is a certain level of drive that carries many onto higher institutions where the quality of programs are enhanced with more and newer equipment. All of this and more are considered to be motivators for any aspiring student. Community support and single donors of funds and equipment help to augment what is needed for these musicians to have the best experience possible.

Thankfully, the many different positive affects music has on students is noted and being used as a means for developing new opportunities. However, for this to continue, it will take an even more concerted effort on the part of citizens of communities and the music industry to help create more interest for future students.

One of the most rewarding experiences a student can have is when they are recognized for accomplishments in a band or choir. The enthusiasm these children and young adults feel can become the very driving force leading to future positive opportunities in the music industry.

Benefits of Music Education

It would be easier to deduce the benefits of music education, once you are clear about the basic qualities of music.

Music Soothes

Music is an ever-expanding field. What do you do when we want to relax? An immediate reply would be: listen to good music. And why? Because you tend to forget that a world exists outside, especially when the music is soft, lilting, and melodious.

This has been proved through research too. Wondrous are the effects of music on the human mind. Music creates positive energy and releases it to the individuals. That is the reason why music therapies are being adopted in every field.

Multi-faceted Benefits

Music improves the efficiency and attitude of the people. Its effects are especially felt and useful in treating sick and afflicted persons, because both the young and the old like it.

Music education helps us to learn new concepts and forms of music. You can learn and enjoy the serenity of music while sitting in your living room. Music education can be complete only if the learner grasps it properly. Efficient tutors can simplify complicated concepts and present them in a suitable manner.

Music education helps in creating awareness, and develops a person's attitude by making him or her appreciate the finer things of life. Music is not merely an art, but a fine art too! By learning the basics, nuances, and forms of music through music education, you can enjoy the benefits bestowed by music in a holistic way.

Music Quotations

You can understand the benefits of music looking at some excellent quotations.

Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven. -Walter Savage Landor

Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.-Pablo Casals

Music is the soul of language.-Max Heindel

Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

Art And Music Education In The Public Schools - What Importance Should Be Given To These Subjects?

During the 1960's and 1970's the majority of public schools in the United States had regular music and art programs as part of their curriculum. Art teachers and music teachers were employed by the schools and children as young as Kindergarten received instruction in both music and art.

Every week, children would have singing lessons, be introduced to instruments, and learned about the great composers. Art instruction included using mediums such as watercolor, charcoal, and tempura paints, as well as art history lessons and exposure to artists from across the centuries. Children were provided with all the materials they would need, and musical instruments were rented to families who did not have their own, for a nominal fee.

At some point in time around the early 1980's, music and art instruction in the public schools came to an end. Budget cuts were blamed and schools were left scrambling to find the money to continue their art and music programs in the schools. Art and music teachers were not rehired and classroom teachers attempted to take over. Much of what they taught was based on what they had learned from the professional art and music teachers in years past. Schools in more affluent area were able to carry on with their programs, in large part because of the donations of time and supplies made by their parents who could financially sustain them.

During the 1990's they was a resurgence of music and art programs due to the efforts of the large artistic and musical communities who saw the need for this type of instruction in the public schools. Movies like Mr. Holland's Opus opened our eyes to the need for these programs by our young people.

Do music and art programs in the schools really help our children learn academic subjects more easily? Music is associated with mathematics, patterns, and memory function. Art stimulates a part of the brain that has been linked to writing proficiency. Music and art programs do add to our children's academic progress and should be a regular part of their school curriculum.