Alexa Garrett

Writing Workshop (P1)

Argument Essay
February 12, 2024
Orchestra: Does its Benefits Outweigh its Financial Burden on Schools?
Stringed instruments: the musical instruments of the soul that are constantly neglected.
Playing a string instrument creates a vast amount of benefits that not only assist a person's
mind, but their heart as well. Along with these benefits comes a financial burden that is
constantly left on schools. Do the benefits outweigh the financial issue? Some schools would
rather pay for more academic necessities, then extra curricular activities. However, playing a
string instrument, like the violin, results in many benefits that surpass its financial burden on
schools.
One reason playing a string instrument outweighs its financial burden is because
practicing a stringed instrument enormously advances coordination and motor skills through
multitasking. String players have exceptional motor skills because when they play their
instrument, theyre constantly multitasking. For example, according to Megan L., a violinist
from San Diego, When youre playing the violin, you need to coordinate both your
fingers and your arms simultaneously. Pressing a string with your left hand must match
up with the movement of the bow in your right in order to play correctly. In this way,
learning the violin increases your coordination and motor skills (Megan L. 1). Imagine
fingering the correct notes while bowing and tapping to the correct tempo at the same time.
Thats a lot to handle at once-- right? If a string player continued to do this, then over time, their
tremendous ability to multitask would weave its way into their everyday life and enhance their
motor skills. Not only is this over the top multitasking a significant health benefit, but an
education one as well. In addition to exceptional hand coordination, motor skills also enhance
writing and drawing skills. Any teacher would concur that students who have superb
penmanship are the most desired type of students and will have a considerable chance at
flourishing in academics. From a selection of tests, it was proven that children who play stringed
instruments have much better motor skills than non-instrument players. Through referring to a
survey they took, the author of Source B writes,So, as you can see from the
graph...musical kids scored a lot better on fine motor skills for left and right hand
(Einstein was smart but could he play the violin? 1). When someone picks up a string
instrument, they are creating superior motor skills for themselves. Motor skills are a necessity to
life, without them, the world would be chaotic. Everyone would be fumbling about with their
hands as if they were blind. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would get done! How calamitous!
Fortunately, this tragedy can be avoided by giving students the capability to play a stringed
instrument at an early age.
Additionally, enhancement of academic skills is one of the abundant supplies of benefits
from playing a stringed instrument. Similar to motor skills, from a series of tests, it has been
proven that playing a string instrument advances a persons academic skills. According to a
study made by the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, school-age children who
play the violin often see a boost in academic achievement compared to their non-musical
peers.These skills include focused attention, critical thinking, problem solving, and
familiarity with teacher-student mentorship (Megan L. 1). Although many kids deny their
ideas and brush them to the side, parents and teachers are always looking for ways to help their
children or students become stronger academically. If a student decided to pick up a string
instrument like the violin, then they would be doing something they enjoy while increasing their

IQ, without even knowing it. Now thats a miracle worker! Some of the most knowledgeable
people to ever live received some of their IQ points from playing a stringed instrument. Source
B reveals that Einstein did play the violin. Apparently he was quite good (Einstein was
smart but could he play the violin? 1). Einstein, one of the most intelligent men to ever live had
an IQ that was about 160 and played the violin-- the violin! Einstein couldnt have gotten his IQ
points out of thin air or just studying. He had to get them from somewhere else, like the strings
of his violin. Imagine if all students, everywhere, had to play a stringed instrument, then their
IQs would be bursting through the roof. The next Einstein might even be found!
Furthermore, practicing a stringed instrument, like the violin, supports a persons
emotional health. String players have better psychological well-being, because they are able to
express who they are through the notes coming from their instruments. For instance, as it
states in Source C, Playing music allows teens to express themselves and be different
from others(Benefits of Playing the Violin for Teens 1). Many people, especially teenagers,
have a difficult time expressing who they are. Visualize if teens knew what made them different
and unique. Everywhere, people would be able to convey and show others who they are on the
inside, instead of just the outside. Generally, the world would just be a much happier place and
not have as much sorrow and depression. By more people becoming violinists, violists, cellists,
and bassists, then this dream world would come very close to becoming reality. Reducing
stress is one of the many ways playing a stringed instrument outweighs its financial problems.
In Source A, the author writes, On a stressful day, playing the violin is a healthy way to
let off some steam. The sound of the music itself can be calming, and playing a song you
know well can provide relaxation through the familiarity of the piece(Megan L. 1). After
coming home from a stressful day at school, students will do anything to help them de-stress.
Most likely, they will turn on Netflix or go to Starbucks, but once they are done sipping their
Cotton Candy Frap and watching a cheesy Disney movie, the stress will come back in waves,
overflowing their brain. Although watching Netflix and sipping Starbucks might help someone
de-stress for a while, playing a violin, cello, bass, or viola will have a longer lasting impact on
the horrid stress. Playing a string instrument minimizes stress by allowing the person to play off
leftover steam and hear peaceful music. Therefore, making an enhancement in mental health is
a major benefit of playing a stringed instrument.
On the other hand, some schools would rather use their limited amount of
money on other activities than extra curricular activities, like orchestra. Instead of
paying for extra curricular activities some schools would rather pay for ways to
advance their schools academics. For example, schools might rather pay for
smaller classes sizes. In Source D, it explains why schools would prefer to pay for
smaller classes and how they would help boost their school academically; on page
one, the author states, Gains from class size reduction in the early grades
continue for students in the upper grades. Students are less likely to be
retained, more likely to stay in school and more likely to earn better
grades (How important is class size? 1). Visualize what having a small class
would be like. Teachers would be able to engage and assist their students more,
causing grades to fly through the roof. No teacher would ever turn up the
opportunity to have something they know will benefit their students. By spending
money on extra curricular activities like orchestra, its as if theyre taking a
students road to academic success from their very hands.

Even though the money could be used for something else, the advantages of
string instruments offset the financial encumbance on schools because the
advancement it has on motor skills, academic skills, and mental health. Even
though these four stringed instruments are constantly neglected and arent
acknowledged, string instruments provide many benefits. String instruments dont
just outweigh the financial burdens on schools, they blow them out of the water.