Why Music Education is Important
By Jessica Peresta, Music Education Specialist
When I think about why music education is important, so many reasons come to mind. Of course, as a music educator, I know inherently just how much music helps kids to succeed and why learning music matters so much. But putting those reasons into words can be difficult at times. In this blog post, I’ll explain why music education is so important not only to kids and teachers but to the world around us.
Music is Everywhere
You can’t step outside without hearing noise all around you. Believe it or not, this is music. From a car horn, to the birds chirping, to airplanes flying overhead, it’s all music. Have you ever stopped to think what it would be like without music?
Besides the regular, everyday noises we hear, music is at sporting events, in the shows and movies we watch, and on the radio in our cars. It’s truly everywhere. The fact that music is all around us is something we all just expect. But if music wasn’t there, it would definitely be noticeable.
Music Class Doesn’t Just Teach Music
Of course music is in music class. But, it’s also in every single other subject area in a child’s education. Throughout a student’s day, songs are used to introduce concepts, to help with memorization, and to get kids up and moving. There’s also a lot of cross-curricular learning happening throughout the day.
For example, music is in science, where students are learning about the frequency of sound and modulation of notes. It’s in history, where students are learning about music from all around the world and from different cultures. Music is a part of math where students can learn about the changing time signatures and equate them to fractions. Then, in reading, there are so many stories that can be made musical by having students move to the words, keep the steady beat, or rhyme the words of the poem they’re reading while speaking it in a rap form.
Music Helps us Emotionally
Another reason music education is so important is that it helps kids (and adults) regulate their emotions. Social and emotional learning is a big deal in education, and what better way to help students to express their emotions than with music. If a student is sad, they can listen to music or move to a song, and it will instantly improve their mood. The lyrics of a song can be discussed amongst peers and students can write their own verses to express what they’re feeling.
When a child experiences learning music in a group setting, whether in a general music classroom, a performing ensemble, or a choir, they feel a sense of accomplishment. They learn to work together as a group and strive for goals together. Where a child might struggle in other academic areas, in music class, kids can feel successful. You never know which child walking through the doors of a music classroom will be the next great composer, music producer, pianist, conductor, or performer. Allowing students to explore creatively lets them discover their musical selves. The music room helps students find a place where they can be themselves.
Cooperative Learning Happens in Music
When a child comes into the music classroom, they’re experiencing cooperative learning, language and social skills, using parts of the brain that will help facilitate learning in other subjects, and moving their bodies creatively. Music class teaches students how to work in groups, independently, and with partners. During a music class, so much more learning is done than just learning music. Kids are learning life skills that they can use throughout their school day and that will carry them into life.
When a child is in elementary music, they will be singing together, playing instruments, doing movement activities, and composing music. A lot of these activities are done through small group or whole class instruction where discussions are being held and decisions are being made together. If a child is in band, orchestra, or choir, they’ll be rehearsing as a whole group, but also between the members of their section.
Whether it’s elementary music or a high school ensemble, students are rehearsing for a performance. They want to achieve and to do their best. Whether it’s a spring musical or a musical competition, students understand that they need to work together for the bigger goal.
Learning Music Lasts for a Lifetime
Although every music teacher would love their students to pursue music as a career, this isn’t a realistic goal. But, what is a realistic goal is to foster lifelong learners and advocates for music education. When students grow into adults, the aim is for music to be appreciated, listened to, experienced, and enjoyed. What’s learned in a music classroom doesn’t just stop there. The love and passion for music should continue into adulthood, so that joy is passed on to future generations by both teachers and parents alike.
If you’ve wondered why music education matters or if it’s really that important, my hope is that by reading this blog post, you’ll have a better understanding of just how special it is. Think about ways you can continue bringing the love of music to the students you come into contact with, no matter what subject area you teach.
Jessica Peresta graduated from Oral Roberts University with her Bachelors of Music Education in 2004 and earned the top music educator award. She went on to build a music program from scratch at a low-income school in Tulsa, OK, earning the Teacher of the Year and Teacher of Today awards during her second year of teaching. Jessica has used her expertise to found The Domestic Musician, LLC where she mentors and supports elementary music teachers through her HARMONY membership site, The Elementary Music Teacher podcast, and her blog. Jessica published her first book this summer called “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music”. On the side, Jessica does curriculum and education contract work for various states and companies and coaches music teachers and edupreneurs and is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Technology from The University of Arkansas. In her personal life, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 sons.
Follow the conversation #WhyITeach
To be reminded why your work is so very important and for more stories and advice, visit our collection of teacher perspectives at The Art of Teaching.
You can view the McGraw Hill Privacy Policy here: http://www.mheducation.com/privacy.html. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author, and do not reflect the values or positioning of McGraw-Hill or its sales.
