With my upcoming audition deadline for the oboe solo in Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf”, I’ve been thinking about music a lot recently. I’ve been playing the oboe for about 6 years now, and I’ve only grown more and more appreciation for professional musicians. I feel like I’m at that stage in my ability where I truly begin to appreciate how much there is to unpack besides simply the notes and the rhythms.
Even in a short 16-bar passage, there’s so much to analyze and think about. I could practice the same section for months, and my professor would always have little details that would improve its musicality. Given the amount of time and practice it takes to master an instrument, it’s tragic that it remains extremely undervalued in the public education system.
Studies have long explored the consequences of cutting music education from public schools. As scientists have determine how the brain functions, numerous links have been found with how the brain processes music and language. A study published by Charlotte P. Mizener determined that implementing music into language development exercises saw positive benefits in the language skills of young children. This fact has been taken advantage of for years by educators, for example learning the alphabet to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The benefits don’t end there. According to the Texas Music Educators Association, members of their all-state choirs, bands, and orchestra reported SAT scores that were on average 22% higher than the national average and 26% higher than the Texas average over a 5 year period. Furthermore, the New England Board of Higher Education claims that music education also improves memory, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and mental processing.
However, that shouldn’t be the only reason why we need to keep our music programs well-funded. Back in my sophomore year in high school, I had the honor of having Kirt Mosier as a guest conductor for orchestra, an internationally known composer and conductor. The message he addressed to our parents in the audience right before the concert has stuck with me since: “We don’t play music to get better at math or science, we play music to play music.” While music education does improve the academics of its students, at the end of the day, we’re not playing music to make us stronger students. Nobody plays music with the intention of improving their grades. We play because it’s a way of expressing ourselves, and we enjoy doing so.
Kirt Mosier
Music and the arts have been a crucial aspect of culture to humankind for millennia. Yet we seem to be losing sight of its value and the lessons it can teach us. For me personally, having to play solos as a principal oboe player has helped develop the confidence to speak in front of an audience. It also has given me a way to decompress from my academics in a way that I enjoy and am passioante about. Music is such an integral part of our lives and so music education should not and cannot be the first programs to go in public schools.
I completely agree that music education should be funded better! I participated in many music classes and programs all through high school, and they were always more lacking in funding than other programs. It’s really awesome that you got to have that experience meeting Kirt Mosier! I also liked the facts that you included that prove music education is beneficial for overall learning.I hope that music education receives better funding in the future!
Learning and reading about the benefits music has in our memory, mental processing, and problem solving was really impressive because I had no idea. I definitely agree that music is a form of expression that many people enjoy and are able to destress from their environment. Along with music and school music programs deserving more of a sense of acknowledgement and respect.
I played the flute from 6th through 9th grade until I had to give it up because of conflicts between marching band and sports, and it was usually my favorite part of the day. I wasn’t especially talented, but during band we just got to have fun with friends and play some music instead of constantly worrying about studying for some test or another. Music education is very important, not just for the benefits you listed, but also because it creates its own little societies that are more inclusive than almost anything else. While I rarely interacted with diverse people through sports, my school’s “band geeks” group was probably the most eclectic group of people I’ve ever seen, and it was awesome.