The skills learned through music are essential and fundamental to most everything we do in life. Self-confidence, self-discipline, corporation, taking directions, leadership, eye/finger coordination, and socialization are just a few of the valuable tools we reap from studying music. Music helps us to appreciate the rhythm of the Cosmos, the biological rhythms, performance rhythms, and perceived rhythms.

The first two aspects are innate forces belonging to earth and to man; the third aspect is acquired or achieved by man. In order to attain a "sense of rhythm" or inner rhythm, there must be an awareness of the presence of cosmic and biological rhythms, and a functioning with them in motor performance expression. Having sensory awareness of self and one’s relationship to the environment allows better performance and the ability to change direction of thought and action with measured economy as needed. Having ease and grace in one’s performance is being articulate and flexible in language expression as well as movement; having discrimination in the choice of words; being able to think on one’s feet; having imagination. (Nash, Grace, "Creative Approaches to Child Development With Music, Language, and Movement")

Not only do the arts contribute to improving the child's academic scores, AND in raising their IQ's, but also it is the very subject that humanizes us and keeps alive the sense of our "oneness". If we become a society that places fine arts at the bottom of the list, or not on the list at all, we face the inevitable destruction of the those characteristics that evoke gentleness, kindness, sensitivity and compassion. Music, dance, art, and theater arts, contribute to the beauty of the human soul.

So what should students be learning in their music classes?

Students should have the opportunity to sing, move to music, and learn to play classroom instruments. They should have instructional guidance to help them develop skills in performance, reading notation, composing, listening to and illustrating their interpretation of music. Children especially benefit from learning to use music vocabulary. Activities that develop their enjoyment of and sensitivities to music are extremely important. The student should have the freedom to create from within him or herself to share with the world outside of themselves, thus building their confidence and self-esteem. Exploring music from a variety of cultures, will build their acuity with communication skills. Music is truly a universal language.

Making Your Life Musical