By Camille García, 11th grade.

Artistic spaces are very important in any school. When talking about music programs, these have endless benefits for students, such as the development of motor skills, aiding emotional maturation and it represents a creative space in which students can find music as an inspiration. Music has a unique ability to promote self-expression. This makes it a potent tool for improving social and emotional intelligence in a school context. Students who struggle to verbally articulate their emotions might benefit especially from the opportunity to explore and express their feelings via music. Since it’s important that in school, students develop abilities and awaken passions. Everyone is different, and by having options like these, they can achieve great things, according to their talents and interests. In addition, taking part in a school music program fosters discipline, collaboration, and teamwork.

Music provides a safe place for youth to express and learn about their emotions. It can also help students develop skills and competencies, work out their emotions, engage in identity work, and strengthen connections to the school and community. Learning music challenges and molds the brain’s faculties, improving concentration, memory, and motor skills. It is an outlet for creativity and can be a source of stress relief for students. It allows them to excel with fewer limits and greater possibilities, giving them something to look forward to during the school day. Talking about this motivation, one of the most significant advantages of a well-developed music program in schools is its positive impact on academic performance. Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between musical education and enhanced cognitive skills. Music encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and pattern recognition, skills that are transferable to various academic subjects. Furthermore, students who engage in music often demonstrate better memory retention and improved concentration, which can lead to higher test scores and overall academic achievement.

When incorporated into an educational setting, it becomes a valuable asset that enriches the lives of students and contributes to their overall development. Also, a well-developed music program can instill a lifelong passion for music in students. Many professional musicians and composers credit their school music programs as the starting point of their careers. Even for those who don’t pursue music professionally, the skills and appreciation developed through music education can be carried throughout their lives, bringing joy and fulfillment.

Knowing the advantages of having a good music program, let’s analyze the case of our school. In a school like ours, it is very common to see highly recognized activities that have to do with sports, however our school barely gives the opportunity for students who would like to stand out in other activities like music. And maybe students don’t know they would enjoy this yet, because there have been bare opportunities to demonstrate talent or even learn. The school has a choir, however, it limits students who have a musical ability in instruments, and it is not as active as it could be. The big majority of students are 5th and 6th graders, and only a few are highschoolers. In the case of regular music classes, these are only included until middle school. High school students don’t count on music or art classes, and in any case, the music classes just consist of playing the flute. Students who do have a music program, just learn to “comply with the program”, a program that is also very limited in terms of options. By not being able to choose based on your musical interests, nor being able to experiment with new things to find your interests, there is no motivation or space to find a passion for music, because of the way classes are taught.  There are simply no options, and the talent cannot be reflected. 

The environment in schools is the perfect one, in which students can feel confident to demonstrate their talents. In important ceremonies, events and presentations, it would be very beneficial to have orchestras, bands or even a choir that has a little more presence and is not only used for flag ceremonies. But that requires opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents and share them with the school. A musical environment like this is what our school needs, knowing the great potential that many of us have. In my case, I would love for the school to have a band, it would be great to have that space in which many students join their talents, write songs, and perform frequently. I know I’m not the only one who thinks this way, and this is really something that would motivate students. Talents like these are not to be had as a hidden hobby, this would add a lot to the student community and provide opportunities for unforgettable experiences, since music is something that unites and inspires us.

Sources:

(No date) The Power of Music Education. Available at: https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/the-power-of-music-education/#:~:text=Music%20training%20not%20only%20helps,an%20instrument%20on%20brain%20development . (Accessed: 30 October 2023). 

Ahmed, K. (2023) The importance of music in school: Why Music Education Matters, Stage Music Center In Acton and Winchester MA. Available at: https://stagemusiccenter.com/music-school-blog-winchester-acton-ma/2022/8/7/the-importance-of-music-in-school-why-music-education-matters  (Accessed: 30 October 2023). 

Benefits of Music Education (2023) Merit School of Music. Available at: https://meritmusic.org/benefits-music-education/  (Accessed: 30 October 2023).