Music Programs in Elementary Schools

Music Programs in Elementary Schools

"Music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and, by studying music in school, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective." This was said by Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States. This is true so why aren't music programs offered in every school? Many high schools and junior high schools do offer music program, however many elementary schools do not. If music is introduced at an earlier age won't the benefits that came from it be greater for the student? Elementary schools should offer music programs because of the positive benefits it has on the students

Not everyone thinks that having a music program in an elementary school is important. A music program can cost the school a lot of money and some people argue that the money would be better spent on other items that aide students in their academic courses. Music is not considered an academic course even though it has been proven to improve student's grades. Unfortunately in today's classrooms teachers only have time to teach their students what is going to be on state testing. Many school instrumental music programs remove students from their regular classroom for individual or small-group practice. Often, this can cause tension among teachers and administrators. Many of those opposed to music pull-out lessons are concerned that students will fall behind in their academic performance by missing classroom instruction time.

If elementary schools were to have music programs students would do better in their classes. One class that music helps students do better in is math. Counting is a big thing in music. Each measure has a certain amounts of beats in it. The way the note looks determines how many beats it gets. Some notes only get a half of beat which is a fraction. Students end up learning how to count fractions and understand the concepts of fractions. Another way that music helps kids do better in their classes is by relieving stress. With the emphasis on academics, even elementary school kids can become stressed. Music has been shown to reduce heart rate, breathing, and stress hormones in stressful situations. Because stress obstructs learning, it is difficult for children to be productive in school unless they are able to relieve stress. Whether it be playing an instrument or singing in a choir the music that the students learn and listen to will help them to relieve stress which can help them in all classes.

Children in music programs learn skills that can help them not only academically but also in life. One of the skills that they learn is how to work with others. There are many students in a band or a choir and in order for the band or choir to do well they have to work together. Practicing together is important to match tones and pitches to each other. Each section in a band or a choir needs to try to sound like one sound. They have to work together in order to create that one sound. Also in bands or choirs there are leaders and students under leadership. Students either have to learn how to take orders either from the director or student leaders. For example, most bands have section leaders who are one of the students in that section is in control of