Pau Khai

English 112-07
7/10/2016
Julia Intiwiwat

Music Education is Important

Can you imagine a world

without music? In todays society, the value of music

education is declining at an alarming speed. Many schools around the country have been forced
to cut spending on music and art in place of other classes that are viewed as being much more
important. Studies conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures show that public
schools across the country are cutting back on music classes in an attempt to save money. Worse,
some schools have never had music programs to begin with. But without these fundamental
programs, students' academic growth and emotional well-being could suffer, and our
understanding of the universal language of music could become a thing of the past. To prevent
this, music classes should be mandatory for all students in public schools.
Music is a complex language that incorporates mathematics, science, history, physical
education, coordination, and mental dexterity. Recent studies by Brown University have shown
that students who received music education classes were significantly more advanced in math
and reading skills than those without. Another study by The College Board found that students
taking music and art classes scored 58 points higher on the verbal portion and 38 points higher
on the math portion of the SAT than those without access to these classes. Students' overall
academic success seems to depend on their participation in music education.
Music education helps children build higher thinking skills and also helps in certain
academic areas, such as math and foreign languages. Children are required to think about how

their personal section of a song blends with the other parts or instruments. They have to think
about dynamics, good tone quality, and blending with others. Music also helps with other subject
areas that might surprise many. Math is one of these subjects that music can help with. When
reading music, a musician has to use fractions and addition/subtraction to determine each note
value. Foreign languages are also used throughout music. Dynamics and tempo markings are
written in different languages that require children to develop higher thinking skills. Without
music, students would not benefit from the many different aspects of knowledge that are required
to create music.
Music and art classes have been declining in frequency in elementary schools recently
because whenever money is tight in a school district, music and art classes are the first to be cut.
Many people view these classes as unnecessary for the education of students and are ranked in
importance below physical education and other extracurricular classes. This common
misconception is hurting the development of our future generations. I believe that music
education is vital to the development of cultural understanding and growth of a childs
knowledge and character. Scientific studies have been done to prove that music helps children
develop self-discipline, build teamwork and self-esteem, and also helps build higher thinking
skills.
Whether being involved in a music group or playing an instrument alone, music teaches
students self-discipline. Each day a striving musician has to carve out a certain period of time to
practice his or her skills. By creating a schedule to follow, he or she learns how to be selfdisciplined. The saying practice makes perfect is one of the truest statements one can make.
Children who are required to set their own schedules can learn how to become self-sufficient and
know how to budget their time more wisely.

Music education remains a key component in a student's academic success and in positive
social and emotional growth. The gift of music is priceless. It enhances students' abilities while
creating ambassadors who can share the universal language of music and feel the common ties
that the emotion and beauty of music evoke. We need to ensure that we have mandatory music
classes for all students. The first step toward achieving this is community support. Writing letters
to school boards and local government officials urging them to create and fund more mandatory
music education programs is a great way to start. A student's future success depends on each
letter that a caring community member writes. The world is losing its music, and putting music
into schools is the first step in getting it back. Many people underestimate the value of music
education. Music not only allows people to express emotions that words do not adequately
express, but also helps children build character and higher thinking skills that only music can
build. Our society needs to realize how important music is to the development of future
generations and needs to encourage the exploration of music. Music is the only thing that can
bring a group of different cultures and beliefs together for one simple thing: the love of music.