Taking music lessons offers a space where kids learn how to accept and give constructive criticism, according to research published in The Wall Street Journal in 2014. ~ Joanne Lipman, “A Musical Fix for American Schools,” The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2014.
U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show “significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12.” ~ U.S. Department of Education NELLS88 Database
Students who take music in middle school score signifcantly higher on algebra assignments in 9th grade than their non-music counterparts. ~ Helmrich. B. H. (2010). Window of opportunity? Adolescence, music, and algebra. Journal of Adolescent Research. 25 (4).
Majorities of parents whose children are involved in music classes also credit music education for making them happier, more focused, more self-disciplined, stronger academically and more helpful. ~ NAMM Foundation and Grunwald Associates LLC (2015). Striking a Chord: The Public’s Hopes and Beliefs for K–12 Music Education in the United States: 2015.
Matt Harrod is a master teacher. Please check out some of Matt’s tips from his Director Spotlight! You won’t be disappointed! Dealing with the “Crazies” Philosophy on Education Retention Beginning Teacher Tip Why I Teach Middle School
Playing an instrument as a kid leads to a sharper mind in old age, according to a new study conducted by Brenda Hanna-Pladdy, a clinical neuropsychologist in Emory’s Department of neurology, and her colleagues. The researchers gave 70 people between the ages of 60 and 83 a battery of tests to measure memory and other cognitive abilities. The researchers found that those who had played an instrument for a decade or longer scored significantly higher on the tests than those with no musical background. ~ Quoted in Diane Cole, “Your Aging Brain Will Be in Better Shape If You’ve Taken Music Lessons,” National Geographic, January 3, 2014.
Nearly 100% of past winners in the prestigious Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology (for high school students) play one or more musical instruments. This led the Siemens Foundation to host a recital at Carnegie Hall in 2004, featuring some of these young people, after which a panel of experts debated the nature of the apparent science/music link. ~ The Midland Chemist (American Chemical Society) Vol. 42, No.1, Feb. 2005
Studies have shown that assiduous instrument training from an early age can help the brain to process sounds better, making it easier to stay focused when absorbing other subjects, from literature to tensor calculus. ~ Hearing the music, honing the mind. (2010). Scientific American, 303(5), 16
Music therapy has been found to reduce psychological stress in a study of 236 pregnant women. ~ College of Nursing at Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan
Our next Director Spotlight is on Matt Harrod, Band Director at Riverside Junior High and Intermediate School. Matt’s connection with his students has helped him enjoy teaching for the last 30 years. And, we think he is one of the very best in the business. Please enjoy Matt Harrod, in this edition of The Director Spotlight.
The cognitive structures developed through music instruction “exposed and illuminated more general organizing structures relevant for multiple disciplines. ~ Portowitz,P., Lichtenstein, O., Egorova, L., & Brand, E. (2009). Underlying mechanisms linking music education and cognitive modifiability. Research Studies in Music Education, 31, 107–29
Teens feel that playing music teaches self discipline. ~ Shehan Campbell, Patricia. Adolescents’ Expressed Meanings of Music In and Out of School
A 2013 study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that adolescent-centered studies show that even very basic rhythm abilities, such as tapping to a beat, relate with reading skills. ~ White-Schwoch, T., Woodruff Carr, Anderson, S., Strait, D.L., Kraus, N. (2013), “Older adults benefit from music training early in life: Biological evidence for long-term training-driven plasticity,” The Journal of Neuroscience
Teens look at music as an opportunity in school for engagement as performers, composers and intelligent listeners—activities and qualities that appear to be deeply meaningful to them ~ Shehan Campbell, Patricia. Adolescents’ Expressed Meanings of Music In and Out of School
Janis Stockhouse and Thomas Wilson presented us a few outstanding tips in their Director Spotlight last week. You can see the passion that they both bring to sharing their knowledge and love of music with the kids. Check them out! As always, if you have any questions you would like to hear answered by our spotlight directors, feel free to send us a note! Thanks so much for your feedback!
A study published in 2010 found that regular music making strengthens nonmusical brain functions. ~ Kraus N., Chandrasekaran B. (2010), “Music training for the development of auditory skills.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Four out of five Americans (80%) believe their music education has contributed to their level of personal fulfillment. ~ The Harris Poll®, July 2014
“Some people think music education is a privilege, but I think it’s essential to being human.” ~ Jewel, Singer, Songwriter, and Instrumentalist
“The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.” ~ President Barack Obama
I had a chance to sit with Janis Stockhouse and Thomas Wilson at Bloomington High School North for this Director Spotlight. What a fantastic program they have built and we thought you would enjoy getting to know them.
