- It increases appreciation for one's own culture
- It promotes multicultural understanding
- It creates self-discipline
- It allows for self-expression
- It fosters creativity
- It activates all areas of the brain simultaneously ("whole brain" learning)
- It boosts self-esteem
- It encourages life-long learning
- It integrates all areas of learning in the curriculum
- It involves cooperative learning
- It creates aesthetic sensitivity
- It develops abstract thinking, problem solving, and high-order thinking skills
- It is conductive to better physical and mental health
- It enhances the quality of life
"To study music is to study the learning process. Music is an academic subject that involves learning in the major domains: cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), affective (attitudes and feelings), and kinesthetic (the senses). Music comprises its own complex body of knowledge, requires the development of motor coordination, shapes attitudes and feeling process and develop keener understanding and insights as to know knowledge, skills, attitudes, feelings, and the senses interrelate." -taken from the article "A Stronger Rationale for Music Education"
"It is a privilege to be part of a profession that since the dawn of time has recognized the arts and their benefits for humankind. Choral directors make a positive contribution to life and living, and all who practice this ancient art should think well of themselves and what they do. It is a profession worthy of its calling." -Kenneth H. Phillips
In ancient times music was valued as an intelligent discipline. The upper-class included music in the basic education of youth along with arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy as part of what was known then as the quadrivium. Roman citizens understood the benefits of a strong academic education in music. This philosophy may be difficult to understand in contemporary society, where the general public shows little interest in the intellectual study of music, placing most of its value on music as entertainment. In reality, music has a much higher place than just for developing a skill, or performing on a stage.
So please do not discredit my entire education or choice of study.
And remember... 80% of millionaires play an instrument at an advanced level. :)
