Investing in Music is Investing in Your School
Music builds better kids. Better kids build better schools. Better schools build better communities. There is no better return on investment than investing in music!
Learn Why Your School Should Have Music
Now, more than ever, music matters
Join the more than 120,000 schools that are making music education a part of their students’ lives.
Parents want music in their school
A nationwide study, titled “Striking a Chord: The Public’s Hopes and Beliefs for K-12 Music Education in the United States 2015,” surveying 1,000 teachers and 800 parents found strong support for music education at all grade levels — 87% of teachers and 81% of parents believe children should have a chance to learn to play musical instruments as early as elementary school.
Making music increases social / emotional health
Research shows that listening to music increases the amount of dopamine (a mood-enhancing chemical) in the brain, which means it can have a positive effect on our mental health. This is especially important right now, as students face higher levels of stress, anxiety, and isolation.
Music increases academic performance
Music students have higher academic exam scores than their non-musical peers. Students who participate in music-related activities between grades 7-12 achieve significantly higher scores on science, math, and English exams in high school than non-musical classmates, according to a new large-scale study.
“The data couldn’t be more clear — teachers and parents told us repeatedly that music is an essential part of learning, not merely an ‘extracurricular activity’ that can be cut when times get tough.”
– Peter Grunwald, President of Grunwald Associates
Striking a Chord: The Public’s Hopes and Beliefs for K-12 Music Education in the United States
In 2020, hundreds of thousands of students missed the opportunity to start learning an instrument
Sadly, if a child doesn’t start learning music in school, they will likely never learn an instrument.
A school without music is a school without:
Engaged Parents
Parents of students involved in music are among the most active and engaged parents. Their support is rooted in music, but spills into other areas of your school community.
Scheduling Alternatives
Music programs are typically high volume classes that balance out other small class curricula. Further, they often offer grade-wide planning prep for other classroom teachers.
Academic Balance
From Socrates to Einstein, the world’s greatest thinkers have extolled the importance of music in fostering not just our creative spirit, but our cognitive thinking skills as well.
A Sense of Soul
Pursuits like music play as critical a role in our development. When we think back to our schooling, more often than not, it is the non-classroom related activities that we remember the most.
“In every successful business, there is one budget line that never gets cut. It’s called ‘Product Development’ – and it’s the key to any company’s future growth. Music education is critical to the product development of this nation’s most important resource – our children.”
– John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Founder, MTV
Science shows music can be done safely
Multiple studies have provided a scientific roadmap for performing arts groups’ return from COVID-19.
Masks
If music participants wear surgical-style masks with a slit for the mouthpiece, and use an appropriate bell cover, that aerosol emission is reduced between 60-90%.
Distance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distancing guidelines of 6 ft by 6 ft should be followed, with additional space (9 ft by 6 ft) for trombone players.
Time
Rehearsals should be limited to 30 minutes. Indoors, the room should be cleared, and leaders should wait until at least one HVAC air change has occurred before the next rehearsal.
Air Flow
Outdoor activity remains the best place for air flow. Indoors, HEPA filters are strongly recommended to increase the amount of clean air and the number of air changes per hour (ACH).
Hygiene
The strong emphasis continues on hygiene, including frequent handwashing, and cleaning of spit valves and storage areas.
Thanks to Mitigation Strategies, Performing Arts Events Return to High Schools Nationwide
National Federation of State High School Associations
“Music is not a luxury; it is an expectation of students and parents.
Any school not offering music is not just short-changing their students — they are at a marketplace disadvantage.”
– Scott Lang, Education Advocate
Change the trajectory of your school and students’ lives with music
Talk with a music education expert today about how you can add music to your school or restart an idle program.
Scott Lang, Music Education Expert
scott@scottlang.net
Music & Arts Education Representative
schools@musicarts.com