Many of you know how I am a huge promoter of music education.  I am super passionate about this as I know first hand how music can change lives.  I know how busy we all get and as parents, we can be in our routines and not realize the amazing things that music is doing in our children's lives.
Music is special!  There is absolutely nothing else out there that can compare to music education.  Here are 5 amazing ways that learning music is amazing!

1. Learning an instrument is the ONLY thing that uses the entire brain at once.  When  someone is playing an instrument, the whole brain is active and it is like a whole bunch of fireworks are lighting up.  Our brains are all fired up!  Check out this TED talk video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng

2. Learning an instruments proven to raise grades and aptitudes in many subjects.  Did you know that each year the prestigious Texas All State Band and Orchestras collect the average SAT score and announce it at the concerts to show how high these young musicians score?  You can follow their data here: https://www.tmea.org/programs/all-state/average-sat
Those scores are well above average and demonstrate that students who continue with music and don't give up end up doing well in other areas such as SAT scores.  Check it out!

3. Not all students excel in sports.  We are not all made to do well in soccer, gymnastics, hockey, etc.  Many children are introverts and thrive in an artistic setting like music. Unlike soccer which is seasonal, music needs to be practiced continually for many years and thus teaches diligence and constant assessment  It also can be enjoyed well into old age, unlike most sports.  Did you know that many medical schools seek out student musicians for entrance because they know that the discipline of music has prepared them for medicine? Here is a great article to check out about this: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/medicine-music-connection-1.4770372

4.  Music is therapeutic!  Picking up a guitar and strumming after a long day at school, or going to the piano and playing some songs can relieve tension and calm the nerves.  It can be relaxing and therapeutic in stressful situations.  It can produce endorphins in the brain that can help  those who are depressed to have some relief. Special needs kiddos can benefit greatly from enjoying playing their instruments.

5. Music gives joy to others.  Music is amazing because it not only is wonderful for the musician, but it gives joy to others who enjoy listening as well.  It can build bridges between people.  It can warm hearts and touch the soul.

I hope this has helped remind you of how amazing music education is and we can all benefit from spreading the joy!

Keep it up and enjoy music! Dawn Elmer, Academy Director

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