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  • Essay / The Importance of Music Education for Children

    Music education benefits children because it promotes stronger teamwork, builds self-esteem, and creates smarter students. The first section of this essay will show how musicians have greater self-esteem and confidence, which is helpful in a society of constant judgment. The following section will show how music education, or more specifically participation in an orchestra, band or choir, builds the ability to work easily in a team. Then, the final section shows how being a musician leads to excellence in studies and school activities - which is not surprising considering the level of intelligence required to understand music and its terms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Firstly, participation in music creates high self-esteem. Dimitra Kokotsaki, a secondary school music teacher at Durham University's School of Education, and Susan Hallam, author of the 2001 novel The Power of Music, say: "Active engagement in music can...increase the self-esteem in children of low economic status and increase social inclusion. The study of music achieves this because children can express themselves through their instrument and build relationships with other musicians their age. “Research carried out in Switzerland showed that increasing the amount of music in class as part of the curriculum... [resulted in] increased social cohesion within the class, greater autonomy, better adaptation social and more positive attitudes among children” (Kokotsaki and Hallam). When children can unite with their peers and adapt to social circumstances, they experience a sense of belonging which leads to increased pride. “Participating in an ensemble enhanced study participants' sense of personal accomplishment, helped individuals overcome challenges, boosted their self-confidence, and increased their determination to try harder to meet expectations of the group in terms of playing standards” (Kokotsaki and Hallam). When there are expectations to be met, it pushes the entire orchestra, band, or other musical group to work to the best of their abilities. This can provide a feeling of worth if great improvements are made in their playing abilities. High self-esteem through practicing a musical instrument is very easily acquired. “Learning to cooperate and exchange ideas to achieve a common goal was highly rated by participants and increased self-esteem and motivation to work harder to maintain and improve group standards” (Kokotsaki and Hallam) . When groups reach consensus and meet each other's standards, it builds self-esteem because others are confident in listening to each other. “These habits are typical of music students and can generalize to other academic areas and social/emotional aspects of life, contributing to greater self-esteem and achievement” (“Music Matters”). Music students experience this success because their musical skills carry over into other areas of their lives, typically earning them good grades that can make them feel accomplished and positive. “This preparation may be due to the discipline and focus developed by music students through intense practice and performance routines before college” (“Music Matters”). This intense practice and preparation for college-level materialalmost guarantee an arts student acceptance into any college, also giving them a great sense of accomplishment and happiness. Music students harness a sense of positivity and courage. According to Sari N. Harrar, a writer for Prevention specializing in health, science and medicine, says: "...band and orchestra members were less likely than other children to smoke, drink alcohol or experimenting with drugs. The reasons for smoking and drinking alcohol are usually due to insecurities, and since music students are less likely to engage in these activities, this indicates a sense of security and self-esteem. Ken Petress, professor emeritus of communications at the University of Maine, says: "...being able to perform musically...provides the musician with a significant boost of self-confidence, which transfers to all areas of life... ". This is true because when people master the skills needed to perform music, it helps them feel accomplished. “32% indicated that participation in the group improved their self-confidence” (Kokotsaki and Hallam). This is not a significant number, but it shows the effects quite well. The benefits of music on an individual's self-esteem are obvious. Being a regular musician benefits a child's self-esteem. According to Will Dawson, guitar teacher and employee of San Dimas Music and Arts, "...the kids work hard and deal with criticism." This improves their self-esteem, because when children can face criticism, it shows that they have enough self-esteem to improve their playing. By being a musician, “...children rebuild [their] personality » (Dawson). This means they discover who they are and can perhaps identify with their role models, which makes them feel a strong sense of belonging. It also seems that “…children become extroverted when they realize they have a talent” (Dawson). When someone, not just a student, realizes they have a talent, they feel special – like they are worth something. Not only does music education training promote self-esteem, but it also helps with teamwork. Music education promotes the ability to work effectively in a team. “Learning to compromise, offer mutual support and encouragement, and work effectively as a team” (Kokotsaki and Hallam) were particularly appreciated. Teamwork is valued when being a musician due to several group performances like orchestra, bands, quartets and many other types. “...characteristics of musical groups may be particularly important, for example the need to cooperate to be able to produce a performance in real time, the interdependence that is part of such a performance. » (Kokotsaki and Hallam). Teamwork within a band or orchestra is necessary to achieve the product that all musicians are there to improve: a performance. In cases where a group of people perform together, such as a band or orchestra, "...the musicians must work as a team for [the] performance..." (Petress). Armed with this knowledge, musicians must work as a team for the performance to create the desired effects for the audience. Aspects of teamwork are enhanced when participating in music and musicians take the band much more seriously than most students. Teamwork is easily mastered when a student has been involved in music education. “Not only musically, you are also socially involved… you were part of a group that “made“music a reality” (Kokotsaki and Hallam). When being part of a group, the effort required to produce a wonderful show is realized when there is a sense of unity - where everyone is comfortable with each other, making cooperation much easier. easier. Since students become better team partners when required to perform in an ensemble, most music directors "...encourage their students to participate in a wide range of group musical creations" (Kokotsaki and Hallam) . This group helps to learn a variety of skills used later in life and through these skills, students may find it easier to complete tasks effectively with others. Carolyn Phillips, former executive director of the Norwalk Youth Symphony in Connecticut, states that "...all musicians must work together harmoniously toward one goal, the performance, and must be committed to learning the music, attending rehearsals and to train.” By doing these things, musicians learn to dedicate themselves to the team. In a musical group, everyone must participate, that's what makes musicians the best in this field. Teamwork for musicians is an easy quality to master. “In music class, students can also learn to better communicate and cooperate with each other” (Phillips). This is true because all students share music – which, when it is important to someone one, almost amounts to sharing intimate secrets. “The orchestra environment is ideal for socialization and for developing group work skills…” (“Orchestra Music Rocks”). These group skills will come in handy as an adult when there is a need to be able to complete group tasks for work or otherwise. Angela Kwan, editor for Parents Magazine, says, “Group lessons require peer-to-peer interaction and communication.” With mastery of these skills, it takes almost no effort for orchestra members to make friends, complete their tasks, and result in a great concert or performance. Mastering teamwork is important for many things in life, not including being a member of an orchestra. Teamwork is stronger among students with a music background. “Sitting together, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link” (Dawson). He says this because when artists play in a band, each section depends on each other to learn their parts – which is why mutual trust enters a musician's life from the first moments. He also says that ensemble playing “creates a feeling of comfort and family” (Dawson). When there is a situation where the musician is constantly working with a group of people to produce quality work, everyone ends up relating to each other. There is something more to the teamwork aspect when a person becomes a musician and that is that “people identify with a team” (Dawson). As musicians, people identify with a team because they are all passionate about what they have at their fingertips: their music. Teamwork isn't the only thing improved by a musical education; musicians are also known to perform better academically. Music education also helps people excel in academics and other school-related activities. “Studies have shown that young children who take keyboard lessons have greater abstract reasoning skills than their peers, and these skills improve over time with sustained musical training” (“Music.