Music Education Advocacy - Music Advocacy - Putting Music Back Into Education

	Study: Parents Can Help Babies Get Rhythm (PDF Document, 19KB - Get Adobe Reader) ----------------------------- "Musical training can be a big help in 'getting to the top'." ------------------------------- “During the Gulf War, the few opportunities I had for relaxation I always listened to music, and it brought to me great peace of mind. I have shared my love of music with people throughout this world, while listening to the drums and special instruments of the Far East, Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far North — and all of this started with the music appreciation course that I was taught in a third-grade elementary class in Princeton, New Jersey. What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children.” — H. Norman Schwarzkopf, General, U.S. Army, retired

			Children raised in cultures rich with music develop learning and communication skills more quickly than those without. • Music experiences instill positive attitudes, a positive self-image, a desire to achieve excellence, and the ability to set and achieve goals. • Students participating in music out perform non-music students on achievement tests in the areas of math, reading, and comprehension. These differences become greater the longer the student participates in music. Students participating in music also have consistently higher grade point averages and score higher on SAT's. • Music teaches children the value of teamwork and community, thus moving away from egocentrism and toward self-giving. • Music helps to develop better listening and concentration skills, as well as fine motor coordination. • Music students have a greater opportunity to learn, in a more constructive environment, attributes such as perseverance, self-determination, creativity, integrity, and hard work. • Many institutions of higher learning seek out students who have participated in musical organizations. • Musical training can be a big help in "getting to the top". Over 90% of all CEO's and legislators surveyed said that playing a musical instrument helped them develop the character and leadership skills needed to perform their job. -Lowell Mason, Prominent Educator ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Join other music advocates in supporting school music programs: Music Friends: http://www.musicfriends.org/joinus.html AMC: http://www.amc-music.org/advocacy/toolkit.htm