Musical education exercises the brain, offers a safe haven and provides an emotional outlet, writes Ginger Jacobson.
It’s that time again. Time for arranging all of the before- and after-school activities for your children. Time to logistically figure out transportation to and from all of those activities. Time to complete registrations to ensure your child is engaged in healthy, fun and educational types of activities. Time for music lessons!
Of course you would expect me to say that. I’m a music teacher. It’s what I believe and what I promote. But why? Not everyone is going to turn to music as a career, right?
But music DOES create better marks, better job opportunities and increased personal growth that leads to more successful careers.
Just as one example, a Rockefeller Foundation Study discovered that music majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical schools, followed by biochemistry and the humanities.
The reason is simply that music affords the student an opportunity to use a part of the brain that opens more doors than just proficiency on an instrument or voice.
It exercises the brain to increase language development, helps in processing information of all kinds — not just music, and very importantly, provides an emotional outlet when words cannot be found.
And music, for many students, can be that safe haven searched for and often desperately needed.
Music is also the conduit for social interaction, whether our children learn it by way of private lessons or in a group situation.
It is inclusive to belong to a group that shares the same interests. It is inclusive being able to chat with other people about an area of music they understand and enjoy.
And music is especially inclusive when performing for an audience (of one or 1,000 – it doesn’t really matter), receiving praise and recognition for the effort. We all seek and need positive influences, whether it is for our emotional well-being or our physical health. Music does that!
Self-discipline acquired from regular practice sessions increases skills, promotes creativity and sharpens abstract thinking. Making music is a multi-tasking exercise.
It isn’t just about making sounds. It’s about reading the notation, fitting it to the instrument (or voice) through fingering or vocal technique and interpreting the music so that it becomes a story that listeners can enjoy and appreciate. It’s about pride and accomplishment. It’s about respect, enjoyment and the best feeling in the world!
Almost every public school in Ontario has a music program that offers a variety of instruction and musical experiences for your child. Check it out.
As well, private teachers can be found through local music registries, music stores and referrals from parents just like you. Don’t leave it for another year! Find that music inside your child (and you, too).
Ginger Jacobson is an Instrumental Music Teacher at Broadview Avenue Public School.
Photo: depositphotos.com © goceristeski