The Study of Music
“There is no other single subject in the entire field of education that offers as many advantages as does the study of music.”
While sorting through music in my studio, I happened across an old music folder from Bob Westcott’s Signature School of Music and found the following on the back of the folder:
MUSIC is a relaxing hobby!
MUSIC is a cultural activity!
MUSIC teaches self reliance!
MUSIC demands self discipline!
MUSIC can help build character!
MUSIC teaches good citizenship!
MUSIC is a recognized profession!
MUSIC is a form of self expression!
MUSIC trains for good study habits!
MUSIC develops bodily coordination!
MUSIC helps to bring out personality!
MUSIC brings a recognition of beauty!
MUSIC draws the family closer together!
MUSIC provides training in memory work!
MUSIC brings social and emotional maturity!
MUSIC improves senses of rhythm and pitch!
MUSIC is an aid to good mental and physical health!
MUSIC generates loyal participation in group activities!
MUSIC knowledge is one of the marks of an educated person!
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It’s really difficult to dispute any of the above claims; and yet, more and more school systems look to the study of music as the first to go when faced with budget shortfalls. Families often see private music study as a luxury, when in fact, the study of music has shown, at the very least, an improvement in grades.
When I was seven, my parents vetoed my request for learning an instrument when I entered second grade in public school because they felt $3 a month was too much for them to pay for instrument rental. I suppose the fact that the instrument I wanted to learn was the concert bass also may have had an impact on their decision, but keeping in mind the times — the early 1960s — when an ice cream bar at lunch was a nickel, and gas was three cents a gallon, it was ultimately too much for their budget. My mom was also self-taught on the piano, saxophone and accordion, so I think there was an expectation that I could do the same. Eventually I did, but I do think the study of music in a structured setting at a young age, with other kids my age, would have made a strong impact on many aspects of my life. With my own personal experience in mind, I am a strong advocate of children studying music as early as possible.
The unhappy chore of organization normally has me dragging my feet and finding myriad other activities to distract me. Today that chore was rewarded with a wonderful list of benefits one can attain from the study of music. As a music teacher, the lesson of the day is not the list, for of course I know these things. The list beautifully defines the riches to be gained from the study of music in terms of living an enriched life from it. No, the lesson for me is to stay organized and stop procrastinating!