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Music Education: What Good is It, any way?

© Deborah Jeter

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Have you ever heard someone say, "What good are the arts in school anyway? I want my child to learn to read and write, to be decent at math and know a little history." Maybe they don't know that music helps us to appreciate the rhythm of the Cosmos, the biological rhythms, performance rhythms, and perceived rhythm.

What was that? Did I hear you say, "So what difference does that make?" I'm glad you asked.

The first two aspects are innate forces belonging to earth and to man; the third aspect is acquired or achieved by man. In order to attain a "sense of rhythm" or inner rhythm, there must be an awareness of the presence of cosmic and biological rhythms, and a functioning with them in motor performance expression. Having sensory awareness of self and one's relationship to the environment allows better performance and the ability to change direction of thought and action with measured economy as needed. Having ease and grace in one's performance is being articulate and flexible in language expression as well as movement; having discrimination in the choice of words; being able to think on one's feet; having imagination. (excerpt from the book, "Creative Approaches to Child Development With Music, Language, and Movement")

Oh, so you say you never thought about that? OK, let me expound while I still have your attention.

There have been numerous studies and tests from universities across the globe that have found the more fine arts given to a student, especially in the early developing years, the more proficient they become in language skills, in processing information, in higher order thinking skills and in fact in achieving higher test scores in all of their core curriculum subjects. Not only do the arts contribute to improving the child's academic scores, AND in raising their IQ's, but it is the very subject that humanizes us and keeps alive the sense of our "oneness". If we become a society that places fine arts at the bottom of the list, or not on the list at all, we face the inevitable destruction of the those characteristics that evoke gentleness, kindness, sensitivity and compassion. Music, dance, art, and theater arts, contribute to the beauty of the human soul.

I'm glad you see it differently now. It takes an open mind and courage to change.