Importance of Musical Training

As the economy stagnates, government's look at any way they can to save some money.  Sometimes, even essential services like education face steep cuts.  When schools are forced to free up some money, they often look to cut things like music programs.  Their theory is that music is not as integral to a child's learning as things like math and English.
Is this truly the case though?  Are there legitimate reasons to encourage and foster music programs in our schools.  In fact, there is.  There are a number of reasons to consider music programs essential to a child's learning process and here are three:
1.  Contrary to popular belief - pulling students out of conventional classes for musical study does not affect test scores.  Paul G Young former president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals provided Principal Magazine with research  showing that creating time in the school day for band or choir has no negative impacts on participants' test scores.
Six other studies in the last decade - that involve both urban and suburban school districts, differing in size, socioeconomic mix and racial balance have shown similar results.  An ASTA publication presented the findings that showed math and reading test scores were not affected by classroom pullouts for string instruction.
2. Musical training strengthens the mind.  Plato once said that music "is a more potent instrument than any other for education".  There are an abundance of educators nation wide who would agree with this statement.  There are also studies that show it may very well be true.
A recent study conducted by the University of California found that music can train the brain for higher forms of thinking.  Second graders who received music lessons, scored 27% higher on proportional math and fractions tests than children without musical training.  That is a high enough number that it should preclude any talk of a flukey study.
This is certainly not the first study of it's type either.  Shaw and Rauscher indicated in 1997 that the study of music has significant linkages to children's spatial reasoning and cognitive development.
3. Music will make a child more well rounded.  The benefits of music are not limited to intellectual.  Music can help children in a multitude of ways.  It may not be a full body workout like going for a swim but their are physical benefits linked with music.  Playing an instrument has been shown to improve a child's hand eye coordination.
It is also a tool that helps develop self discipline.  Like a martial art, learning an instrument (even your voice) takes time, dedication and persistence.  If a child is willing to dedicate the time and practice it takes to become proficient in music, it is a good sign that they will be able to transfer that dedication to other areas in their life.

art sla1 stereo power amplifier, behringer a500 reference amplifier, allen heath zed 10fx four mono miclines with 2 active d i 3 stereo line inputs and onboard effects, yamaha fx325 acoustic electric guitar natural, image line fl studio 10 signature bundle edu 1 user, chauvet bob led, vox vt20plus 30 watt 1x8 guitar combo amplifier, de rosa by bridgecraft 3 piece 12 inch kids drum set metallic blue, centrance micport pro, american dj lts 50t light stand truss system, samson concert 77 uhf td headset wireless microphone system with se10 headset channel n3, korg nanokontrol2 slim line usb control surface black, native instruments traktor scratch a6, digitech vocal 300 vocal multi effects processor, kk pure xlr preamp, roland quadcapture audio interface, akg perception 220 professional studio microphone for general purpose with one inch true condenser large diaphragm capsule, westone 4r, shure pg24pg58 wireless vocal system m7, tc electronics flashback delay and looper guitar delay effect pedal, rode videomic pro compact shotgun microphone 200 ohms bundle with rode deadcat vmp furry wind cover for videomicpro, behringer mdx4600 4 channel expandergatecompressor peak limiter, yamaha l85 keyboard stand black, motu ultralite mk3 hybrid, akg d112 industry standard large diaphragm dynamic microphone for bass instruments and kick drum, tc helicon voicetone r1 vocal tuned reverb pedal, american dj quad gem dmx led powered effect light, lanikai lu 21cebk black concert acoustic electric ukulele, pro co rat2 distortion pedal, de rosa by bridgecraft 3 piece 12 inch kids drum set princess pink, gls audio premium 12 gauge 500 feet speaker wire true 12awg speaker cable 500ft clear jacket high quality 500 spool roll 12g 122 bulk, pioneer cdj 900 tabletop multi player, martin lxk2 little martin acoustic guitar koa pattern hpl top with padded gig bag, mxl 770 cardioid condenser microphone, american dj supply quad scan led lighting, baby harp birch 12 strings roosebeck, conductor model 200n bb silver nickel student trumpet w case color tuner mouthpiece save 100, boss me 70, pearl sk900c ed kits 14 inch snare drum, remo kids percussion gathering drum 16 diameter 8 height rain forest fabric, ludwig junior 5 piece drum set with cymbals wine red, gp percussion gp50rd complete junior drum set red 3 piece set, oscar schmidt by washburn ou5 concert ukulele bundle with hard case tuner and polishing cloth hawaiian koa top back and sides, xotic effects sp compressor pedal, zoom r8 multitrack sd recorder controller and interface, kala makala pineapple ukelele, odyssey brldigital2xl dj mixer case, chauvet 4 bar lighting system, shure pg14pg30 wireless headset system m7, tc electronic finalizer 96k,