Save the Music

Save the Music

Schools across the nation are tightening their budgets, making them cut certain programs. However, when these budget cuts come along, one of the first things that is cut is the music program to enable the school district to make room for "necessary" classes. But why cut the music program when it has been shown that music helps develop better social skills, leadership qualities, and improves academics? According to studies by the Gallup industry, "Budget cuts and shifting priorities have placed the music programs in more danger than ever. Already, up to 28 million American students do not receive an adequate music education, and cuts in education funding are either pending or have been enacted in more than half the states nationwide."

The music programs in schools helps many children who have trouble fitting in otherwise meet new people and make new friends. Without the programs these children would have a harder time getting through some of the toughest times in their lives. The music programs bring these musically gifted but sometimes socially crippled children together with something that they all have in common.

Students are more involved and less likely to drop out when they are involved in music. Music helps children with focusing and builds on memory and standards. Focusing is also a big factor that music helps with. Pascal said that we enjoy music because it causes us to count without our knowing it. I believe this is also what causes music to increase focus and creativity. Even if we are not paying close attention, our brain counts each note and change of rhythm. This counting occupies the part of the mind that hinders our creative abilities. Like a soothing lullaby, music puts the worrisome unfocused part of the mind to sleep so the productive side can get to work.

Leadership is also something children gain from being part of a band. It teaches the young how to follow plans and execute them without assistance. Things like this give the young an invaluable life lesson. Routine is part of this also, practice and execution all play factors into leading. Without this stepping-stone in life children would grow up without these valuable lessons.

Without organized music in the lives of these children they would be thrown into a world without the building blocks used in day-to-day functions. Without music a lot of children that are socially crippled would remain that way. Without music children would lack the training to focus and pay better attention. All of these things hinder everyday life that music helps build upon in one way or another. A life without music would affect everyone in some form or fashion. This could happen due to not having the teachings to learn how to play, or because of the affects an everyday person would feel from the daily radio.