Music PrgramsEssay Preview: Music PrgramsReport this essayMusic Programs in Elementary Schools“Music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and, by studying music in school, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective.” This was said by Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States. This is true so why arent music programs offered in every school? Many high schools and junior high schools do offer music program, however many elementary schools do not. If music is introduced at an earlier age wont the benefits that came from it be greater for the student? Elementary schools should offer music programs because of the positive benefits it has on the students
Not everyone thinks that having a music program in an elementary school is important. A music program can cost the school a lot of money and some people argue that the money would be better spent on other items that aide students in their academic courses. Music is not considered an academic course even though it has been proven to improve students grades. Unfortunately in todays classrooms teachers only have time to teach their students what is going to be on state testing. Many school instrumental music programs remove students from their regular classroom for individual or small-group practice. Often, this can cause tension among teachers and administrators. Many of those opposed to music pull-out lessons are concerned that students will fall behind in their academic performance by missing classroom instruction time.
If elementary schools were to have music programs students would do better in their classes. One class that music helps students do better in is math. Counting is a big thing in music. Each measure has a certain amounts of beats in it. The way the note looks determines how many beats it gets. Some notes only get a half of beat which is a fraction. Students end up learning how to count fractions and understand the concepts of fractions. Another way that music helps kids do better in their classes is by relieving stress. With the emphasis on academics, even elementary school kids can become stressed. Music has been shown to reduce heart rate, breathing, and stress hormones in stressful situations. Because stress obstructs learning, it is difficult for children to be productive in school unless they are able to relieve stress. Whether it be playing an instrument or singing in a choir the music that the students learn and listen to will help them to relieve stress which can help them in all classes.
Children in music programs learn skills that can help them not only academically but also in life. One of the skills that they learn is how to work with others. There are many students in a band or a choir and in order for the band or choir to do well they have to work together. Practicing together is important to match tones and pitches to each other. Each section in a band or a choir needs to try to sound like one sound. They have to work together in order to create that one sound. Also in bands or choirs there are leaders and students under leadership. Students either have to learn how to take orders either from the director or student leaders. For example, most bands have section leaders who are one of the students in that section is in control of
The lessons of the musical field in general:
Learning to play the instruments at the pleasure of teachers
Learning to find the appropriate time to play in order to play with others
Learning how to be musical
Learning the music they record
Learning the music they listen to
Working with parents in the music industry:
Music education in music schools is still the same old formula: children learn to work with others for the benefit of children, not only themselves or a musical instrument. Most people would say that music education in music schools was more successful, however, there are cases where a child is not able to teach music for the benefit of the families he or she was raised with. How can parents help children in a music education, especially in an age where the industry is still the same old formula: music education in music schools is the same old formula… it is one step away from learning to be a music teacher; it is another step in making the music more fun. Learn how, when, and where they can learn how to work to make music more fun. This will give them a lot more insight into the roles music may play in the way children learn, as well as help them develop social skills. It is also the same methodology used by many arts programs to teach their kids the importance of children listening to music. I am sure that music education, as well as the many other arts programs being run at the American Music Education Institute (AMSEC) we administer in schools, is a wonderful tool to help our schools adapt to changing music and the social context of a changing world. Our students will start doing the same as they did when they attended their school before learning about the different ways music can affect their lives (including how to sing at the bar, listen to local bands and see how the music can affect their lives and relationships). They may then feel like they are learning about another world that doesn’t seem to be on stage or that has very little to offer. If music is an all over subject in schools in many areas, then any children who want to begin to practice music with kids who enjoy singing will benefit tremendously in this way. I hope you can think of more ways that music can be an enjoyable and productive part of your day with your children.
Read and learn to love it and share the stories that will help you to become happier, better married and start your own business and become a better person.
Share your thoughts and make your own contributions if you have these ideas in mind! Do you take music lessons with you anywhere? If so, please let me know!
This article is reprinted with permission from the Academy of Music Education of the American Musical Education Association.