Benefits of Music Education

A musical education through the study of a instrument offers your child benefits that are more fulfilling than in any of the other educational experiences. What other study includes all of the following enrichments?

Music Provides Lifelong Enjoyment
Studying and playing a musical instrument, whether alone or in a group, offers the young person a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music. This might be attained through creating, performing, or eventually, educated listening. The pursuance of music, one of the Fine Arts, leads to deeper understanding and love for all things of beauty and creative expression, whether natural or man-made. This ability to better appreciate the aesthetic raises the joy of living and offers the person a foundation to become a happy, well- adjusted, and useful cooperative citizen.

Music Develops Mental and Physical Abilities
Performing on a musical instrument requires highly developed mental and physical disciplines. These requirements are present from the very beginning of the study and gradually develop as the student progresses. The artist performer in the symphony orchestra must have strict mental and physical controls. The performer, beginning or advanced, must read symbols on the music page and transfer them to the instrument, using finger, mouth and tongue controls to produce the desired results. The sound must then be played for the correct, notated duration at the precise moment. This is controlled in ensembles by the conductor, whom the performer must always see while at the same time watching the music. The sound must then be blended and balanced with all the other members of the musical organization. This formula for playing a single note in a band or orchestra indicates the amount of discipline demanded of the player. Nevertheless, children develop these skills amazingly fast.

Music Develops Cooperation
There are many personal responsibilities connected with being a member of a school band. It is necessary to be cooperative and to join in a combined effort to attain the goals of the director and the other members of the group. Being a participant in a group activity that has a worthwhile common goal is rewarding and more fun than working alone.

Music Improves Self-Expression
Children need opportunities for self-expression and creativeness. They require a “release” for their energies and inner thoughts. It is better that these necessary releases be obtained through music than other, often harmful, means. Possibilities for self- expression and creativeness through the playingof an instrument are endless.

Music Provides Unlimited Opportunities
One of today’s serious problems is lack of communication. Music provides unlimited opportunities for closer communication because it is truly a universal language. Have you ever stopped to think that a member of any school band could sit in a comparable group anywhere in the world and instantly be an important contributing member of the organization, even though that student could neither speak nor understand the spoken language? Even the printed terminology on the music sheet would be familiar. In how many other academic subjects would this be true?

Music Provides a Future
Instrumental music offers many vocational opportunities, especially in the teaching field. Professional performers are well paid, although the profession is limited mostly to the highly developed players. As an avocation or as a means for providing funds for advanced schooling, music offers numerous opportunities. Children need opportunities for self-expression and creativeness. They require a “release” for their energies and inner thoughts. It is better that these necessary releases be obtained through music than other, often harmful, means. Possibilities for self- expression and creativeness through the playing of an instrument are endless.

Music Is Fun
Above all, a musical experience for your child will provide pleasure for the child and the whole family. Concerts, parades, athletic events, trips, festivals, contests–all can be enjoyed by the entire family. An opportunity for increased family unity is worth pursuing. Give your child the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument so that your family may experience the many advantages that are offered.

The Challenge of the First Few Months
The first few months of learning to play an instrument are the most challenging; therefore, equipment should be of quality that offers the greatest assistance. Too many beginners fail in the early stages of learning because the instrument supplied is not in good playing condition or does not have the necessary properties to make it respond with ease. Stop to think that a member of any school band could sit in a comparable group anywhere in the world and instantly be an important contributing member of the organization, even though that student could neither speak nor understand the spoken language? Even the printed