Music Facts

Music Facts: The Power of Music Education
Music lessons have been shown to improve a child's performance in school. A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reports that music training - specifically piano instruction - is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills which are necessary for learning math and science. This experiment included three groups of preschoolers . . .

The Power of Music Education
From the Yamaha Band and Orchestral Division Advocy Report Spring 2001

Music Enhances Higher Brain Function

"Music lessons have been shown to improve a child's performance in school. A research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reports that music training - specifically piano instruction - is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills which are necessary for learning math and science. This experiment included three groups of preschoolers:

One group received private piano/keyboard lessons and singing lessons; a second group received private computer lessons; and a third group received no training.

After six months of keyboard lessons, those children who received piano/keyboard training performed 34% higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than the others. These findings indicate that music uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for mathematics, chess, science, and engineering."

From Neurological Research Feb 28, 1997; Frances Rauscher, Ph.D., Gordon Shaw, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine.

Music Improves Reading and Math Performance

"A research team studying first graders from two Rhode Island elementary schools found that students who participated in an 'enriched, sequential, skill building music program' dramatically increased their reading and math performance."

From Nature Copyright 1993, Drs. Reuscher and Shaw, University of California, Irvin.

Music Provides Important Experiences

"Musical activities provide children with important experiences that can help them develop physical coordination, timing, memory, visual, aural, and language skills. When they work to increase their command of music and exercise musical skills in the company of others, they gain important experience with self-paced learning, mental concentration and a heightened personal and social awareness."

Frank R. Wilson, M.D.; Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology - University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco; AMC 1998 Publication "Music and Your Child."

Music Increases SAT Scores

"Students with coursework/experience in music performance scored 55 points higher on the verbal portion of the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and 38 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than students with no coursework or experience in the arts for a combined total of 93 points higher."

Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers 2000, The College Board

"There is a direct correlation between improved SAT scores and the length of time spent studying the arts. Those who studied the arts four or more years scored 66 points higher on verbal and 47 points higher on math portions of the SAT than students with no coursework or experience in the arts for a combined total of 113 points higher."

Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers 2000, The College Board

Music Teaches the Habit of Excellence

"Band directors agreed that children who are active in school music program(s) get the unique opportunity to experience the intrinsic value of excellence. Organizations today emphasize the need to recruit people who can demonstrate proven abilities in the areas of quality and commitment to excellence."

Dynamic Presentations Unlimited Research; Band Director Focus Groups, December 1998

Music Develops Quick and Decisive Thinking

"During musical performance, children must constantly turn their thoughts into action. Thought structures continually have to be updated and adjusted. The combination of constant vigilance and forethought coupled with ever-changing physical responses is an educational experience of unique value."

Frances Rauscher, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh; NAMM 1997 publication; "Making Music Makes You Smarter."

Music Builds Teamwork Skills

"Ninety-five percent of respondents to a 1997 Gallup survey agreed that playing in a school band is a good way to develop teamwork skills."

1997 Gallup survey on American attitudes toward music education.

Music Enhances Cooperation "The social climate of music instruction is marked by cooperation, whereas in most other subjects cooperation is totally lacking or replaced by competition. Only by working together can students play a musical performance. They learn that cooperation is a means to an end which can be applied to other goals."

Frances Rauscher, Ph.D., Univeristy of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

Music Prepares Children for the Future

"The U.S. Department of Labor issued a report in 1991 urging schools to teach for the future workplace. The skills they recommend (working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, imagination, and invention) are exactly those learned in school music and arts education programs."

1991 SCANS Report, U.S. Department of Commerce


Music Stats: Americans Support Music Education
A 2000 Gallup survey commissioned by NAAM - International Music Products Association on "American's Attitudes Toward Music, Music Making and Music Education" revealed very important information . . .


Americans Support Music Education
From the Yamaha Band and Orchestral Division Advocy Report Spring 2001

A 2000 Gallup survey commissioned by NAAM - International Music Products Association on "American's Attitudes Toward Music, Music Making and Music Education" revealed very important information. The following responses are representative of the Gallup survey:

95% of respondents agree music should be a part of a well-rounded education.

97% believe school band is a good way for young people to develop teamwork.

93% feel all schools should offer instrumental music as part of the regular curriculum.

93% agree that playing a musical instrument is fun.

75% agree that learning a musical instrument helps you do better in other subjects like math and science.

78% agree that the state should mandate music education in schools.

81% agree participation in a school music program often corresponds to better grades and test scores.

87% agree that music is an important part of life.

90% agree that music brings the family together.

92% agree that playing a musical instrument helps children make friends.

97% agree that playing a musical instrument is a good hobby.

97% agree that playing a musical instrument is a good means of self-expression.

95% believe it provides a sense of accomplishment.

73% believe teenagers who play an instrument are less likely to have discipline problems.

89% agree that playing a musical instrument teaches discipline.

98% agree that playing a musical instrument provides life-long enjoyment.

96% agree that playing a musical instrument teaches appreciation for the arts and culture in general.

85% wished they had learned to play a musical instrument.

Music Stats: Music Students in America
A recent survey during an independent study discovered some surprising statistics about our nation's High School Students . . .

Music Students in America

Source: Independent Survey