Why is music education important for students?

Music students scored higher on 2009 SAT tests. – 2009 College Board web site “At risk” students cite participation in arts as reason to stay in school. Music helps us to better understand our motives, fears, desires, memories, and to communicate more broadly. – Levitin, This is Your Brain on Music Music bonds people together for healthy social interaction. – Cornett Music helps young people connect with themselves, and is a bridge for connecting with others. – Daniel Carp, Eastman Kodak Co. Chairman and CEO

Why is music education important for parents?

93% agree: the arts are vital to a well-rounded education. – 2005 Harris Poll Schools with music programs have significantly higher graduation rates (90.2% vs. 72.9%) – National Association of Music Educators (MENC) Music education enhances cooperative learning, instills disciplined work habits, and correlates with gains in standardized test scores. Studies of K4 and K5 children: the more music skills, the greater their… reading development. – Anvari, Trainor, Woodside, & Levy, 2002 Students of music outperform non-arts peers on the SAT. – The College Board

Why is music education important for the community?

The “back-to-basics curricula,” while it has merit, ignores the most urgent void in our present system – absence of self-discipline. The arts, requiring self-discipline, may be more “basic” to our nation’s survival than traditional credit courses. We are spending 29 times more on science than on the arts, and the result so far is worldwide intellectual embarrassment. – Paul Harvey, syndicated radio show host The arts are an economic plus -- second only to aerospace as our most lucrative national export. – Michael Greene, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Arts-centered schools have fewer dropouts, higher attendance, better team players, an increased love of learning, greater student dignity, enhanced creativity, and they produce citizens better prepared for the workplace of tomorrow. – Eric Jenson, Enriching the Brain