Music is an important facet of a well rounded education. Music is an academic subject. It promotes self esteem and discipline while helping to bring cultures together and since appreciation for music lasts a lifetime, allowing students to experience many types of music is extremely important.
Music is an academic subject, just as math, science, reading and other core subjects are. NCLB recognizes the arts as academic disciplines and the arts are the only disciplines that activate all three domains of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives simultaneously. Music is a worldwide language. We are often able to better understand other cultures through their music. A well rounded music education will include examples from around the globe. By placing these musical examples into a cultural context, students have the opportunity to learn about our global neighbors. Students in culturally diverse areas can also share some of their customs and songs, thus promoting understanding among all peoples.
Music is not only a bridge between cultures, but also a source of positive self image and discipline. Many students will learn to play the recorder during their early music education, and the kids are always excited to learn to play an instrument. In my experience, the kids feel good about themselves when they learn to perform a song well. Even the lowest achieving students can have success on the recorder. They may only master a simple song like “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but their faces light up when they are asked to play it.
Music also promotes discipline. In order to play a musical instrument, a student must practice. Most students are motivated to learn how to play an instrument, especially after early success. They want to learn more, so they take the time to practice and learn. This advances their concentration level and teaches them that work garners results.
Finally, appreciation of music is something that people carry with them for a lifetime. I have the opportunity to expose kids to many different styles of music. I do not expect them to like them all, but I give them a chance to hear things they would not find on their favorite radio station or MP3 player. As the students analyze the music, they learn higher level thinking skills.
If music is dropped from the curriculum, students miss out on a whole body of knowledge. Music education should be for everyone, not just the well-to-do. If we drop music from public schools, only the wealthy will be able to afford private music lessons, and the poor will simply go without.
