Fact Facts about Music Education
Music education improves.
Science, math, and reading performance o Piano instruction was proven to improve abstract reasoning skills and special-temporal ability in young childreni o An enriched, sequential, skill building music program improves reading and math scores in elementary aged children. Children who were behind the group average caught up in reading and pulled ahead in mathii o Music and music education majors had higher reading scores than any other major on campus at a medium-sized university, including English, chemistry, biology and mathematicsiii o Both right and left brain functions are activated when learning to play music.iv SAT Scores o Math SAT scores improve by 41 points, and verbal scores improved by 57 points for students who benefit from a music education.v o Studying the arts for extended periods of time (four years or more) improved total SAT scores by 119 points (68 for verbal and 51 on math). vi IQ o Piano or vocal instruction improved IQ scores of six year old children over peersvii

Music Education

Promotes a habit of excellence: Students who learn to play music experience the intrinsic value of excellence. One bad note can ruin a performance. These lessons translate to other academic areas and life skillsemployers seek out individuals who can demonstrate proven abilities and commitment to quality work.viii Develops a quick mind: when playing a composition, thoughts must be quickly turned into action. Music researcher Frances Rauscher, Ph.D. says, The combination of constant vigilance and forethought coupled with ever-changing physical responses is an educational experience of unique value.ix Promotes cooperation and teamwork: an orchestra depends on every musician to work together in a performance.
Develops discipline and reduces anti-social behavior o A study of Rhode Island natives from birth to age 30 found significant reductions in the arrest records of people who were involved in musicx o Music, art and drama classes positively influenced students decisions to not drop out of school.xi A Pittsburg, Pennsylvania school system study found than students with no ensemble music coursework had a dropout rate of 7.4%, while students with one or two years of experience had a dropout rate of 1%, compared to students with three or more years who had a rate of 0%.xii
Shaw/Raucher Report from Neurological Research, February 28, 1997. Frances Rauscher, Ph.D, Gordon Shaw, Ph.D, University of California, Irvine. As referenced in Discover the Power of Music Education, Yamaha Advocacy Report, 2002, pg. 1. ii Reported in Nature, May 23, 1996. Gardner, Fox, Jeffery and Knowles. As referenced in Discover the Power of Music Education, Yamaha Advocacy Report, 2002, pg. 1. Peter H. Wood, The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-focus University, ERIC Document Number ED327480. iv Dee Dickinson, Music and the Mind, New Horizons for Learning, 1993. v Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers 2001, The College Board vi Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers 2001, The College Board vii http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/pianolessons.html viii Dynamic Presentations Unlimited Research; Band Director Focus Groups, December 2001. As referenced in Discover the Power of Music Education, Yamaha Advocacy Report, 2002, pg. 2. ix University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh; NAMM 1997 publication: Making Music Makes You Smarter. x Music Linked to Reduced Criminality, MuSICA Research Notes, Winter 2000. xi N.H. Barry, J.A. Taylor, and K. Walls, The Role of the Fine and Performing Arts in High School Dropout Prevention. xii Eleanor Chute, Music and Art Lessons Do More Than Complement Three Rs, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 13, 1998.