Should Music Programs Be Allowed?

As the final addition to this social issue, Laredo charter and public schools have become victims of this change in not implementing music into their curriculum. This issue particularly narrows its intended audience to the United Independent School District, and how the district is not doing an exceptional job in contributing to student’s performance in school. Students in class performance have suffered greatly, grades from exams are constantly failing, and greater budget cuts are being made to fix the problem in adding more mathematics, history, and science courses. Not only does this apply to elementary schools, but also middle schools, high schools, and even the college systems in Laredo being greatly affected. Authors Jamey Kelley and Steven

Throughout history music has played an important role in society, whether it was Mozart moving people with his newest opera or the latest album from the Beatles. Where would society be today without music? With schools cutting their music programs, the next Mozart may not get his chance to discover his amazing talent. Music programs are essential to education. To fully understand this one must understand how music helps the human body, why schools have cut music programs, and why people should learn music.

Cutting music and art programs creates a large gap between opportunities for wealther children and lower class children. Children whose parents do not have the financial means to afford private art and music lessions have a greater disadvantage because they do not have the opportunities and resources to cultivate their talents. They could be the next Picasso, but because they did not have the means to express their genius and cultivate their talent, it never gets discovered. Only a very few lucky children will be able to prosper in their talents. Schools should provide another means of art and music classes. For instance, they could have clubs where children

The vast variety available for music programs allows for them to be developed in such a way that they can exist almost completely cost free aside from standard classroom costs that are expected with all other subjects. Not only are these programs incredibly cost effective, but the benefits are tremendous. Though this begs the question of why the budgets are being cut for these music programs if they seem to be so completely positive. The fact of the matter is that most administration panels do not take music programs seriously, writing off their importance in favor of having more money to add to different areas of education. Steve McConnel, journalist for McClatchy Business Tribune stated, about the authority of school administrations, “Music may be at risk because of millions of dollars in education funding cuts. . .local school administrators have the ability to target music . . .to reduce spending” (McConnel). The administration of most school districts do not usually take the time to look at the way students feel about certain school operations before they make the decision to cut them, and this is precisely why music programs are suffering all across the nation, more specifically in areas of high poverty. Areas high in poverty tend to simultaneously be high in crime, and people in those areas

Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is

The decline in music education programs in public schools is a result of budget cuts is becoming more visible. State-level arts spending has dropped from $409 million in the fiscal year 2002 to $354.5 million in the fiscal year 2003, and declined again to $272.4 million in 2004 (“Quick Facts”). It is clearly

All school districts should retain music programs in their schools. Probably the most well-known supposed benefit of involvement in a music program is the Mozart Effect. The Mozart Effect claims that “performance on tasks of spatiotemporal reasoning may be improved for ten-fifteen minutes immediately after listening to part of a Mozart piano sonata or similarly complex music” (Črnčec, Wilson, and Prior, 580). While the Mozart Effect has little to back it, there are still many reasons music and other fine arts belong in schools.

Central Idea: The government should not cut music programs in public schools because they are beneficial to children, not only to their education, but also helps express themselves.

Living in a world surrounded by noises and sounds, one cannot deny that music lives all around them. Schools, street corners, sporting events, there is one thing you will always find: music. Music education is quickly becoming defunct in schools, as many try to decry its many benefits. A growing emphasis on the concrete subjects of math and science, whose benefits are more immediate, are pushing the creativity and imagination of music classes to the back of the budget. Music education is no longer described as stimulating and exciting, but rather unnecessary and distracting. But the benefits of having an education in music is undeniable. Simply being around music can have a positive impact on life. Music enables the human race to discover emotions that they have never uncovered before. The human mind is refreshed by music; “our imagination and memories are stimulated by the sounds, and summon feelings and memories associated with the musical sound” (Wingell 15). Without music, the world would be silent. Lifeless. No matter what language one speaks or what culture one is from, music is a universal language, connecting the hearts of people around the entire world. In schools throughout the nation, that connection is being severed because of budget cuts and lack of funding, but the benefits of music education are clear. The benefits of having an education in music are not only present in the classroom; a lasting impact is also left on the social and emotional growth of a person, though the gains may not be evinced immediately. Participating in musical education programs in schools can give students the opportunity to form lasting friendships and to gain skills that will last them their entire lives. Music education can be beneficial to students because it enhances students’ performance in the classroom, aids in improving student’s interest and engagement in school, and advances students’ social and emotional growth.

Today, many schools focus on preparing their students for their lives beyond the classrooms. They do so by focusing their limited resources on programs that they deem necessary for a proper education. Furthermore, when schools make cut backs, music programs are one of the first to be terminated. Ironically, music embodies many of the subjects that are not eliminated: mathematics, history, science, reading, etc. Music requires self-discipline, accountability, and teamwork: traits that most employers seek in young applicants. Students should participate in music programs because they foster cognitive development, inspire teamwork, and encourage students to adapt a solid work ethic.

As a future music educator, I believe that all students, irrespective of socio-economic status, should be given the opportunity to seek their potential as musicians, and to grow these natural capacities through music education.   The purpose of music education is not only to develop an appreciation of music, but to also inspire young people to develop their own unique musical identity, through music education study and performance opportunities.   Music education must be directed by the purpose of creating independent musicians, proficient in performing, evaluating, and creating music. I will to offer a positive, safe, and welcoming environment for my future students to learn. I will create an environment for my students to feel driven and inspired

Including the music and arts programs at our schools, it helps in further ways than just one, for example it helps the brain, and language development. Music education helps enhance those natural abilities, which are used to interpret sounds and words. Recent studies have shown clearly that musical training physically develops the left part of the brain, which is known to be involved with processing language. When you’re are a musician and you’re playing an instrument, you are

Many people believe that the arts, specifically music programs, hold no beneficial value to students other than for an extracurricular activity. Others believe that having these programs within our schools, only takes away from instructional time. However, research has shown that music education, and exposure to music in general, provides great benefits and values to the adolescents that are involved in said programs (“Music Matters”). Participation in music programs promotes the advancement of academic scores and sets students on the path to success later in life. Furthermore, these programs, be it instrumental or vocal, provide an outlet for adolescents to express themselves and have truly lasting implications on their global development. Notwithstanding all of the pleasure and self-confidence gained through participation in music programs, music education may provide important benefits towards students’ academics by improving their concentration levels and cultivating higher order thinking skills that may increase academic achievement.

We have seen the economy suffer due to financial problems over the last couple of years. The financial struggles are affecting more than just the citizens of the United States but also the Public School system. “Americans have seen the economy slow significantly. Over the past 10 years, the unemployment rate has more than doubled” (Sherk). “Many states reported limited and diminishing funds for public schools as a result” (Hungerford and Wassmer). The lack of funding for public schools are requiring schools to redo there education systems, and causing them to change curriculum. The schools are trying to keep a well-rounded educations but are having a hard time keeping everything that they have had before. They are playing the which class should we cut game and they all are deciding to keep the usual English, Math, Science and of course History. But, they are cutting the music education program that has huge impacts on the students. Some schools are offering a small amount of music class but most of them ended up cutting all of them as a whole. Music is not a cheap program for students to get involved in they have to purchase their own instruments and supplies such as books, music and other supplies. When schools had budgets for their music education they supplied most of the tools needed for the students needed to succeed. Now that there is no money in schools are relying on private donors. If a school still does not have enough money they are making students either pay a

Most people would agree that music and art programs in schools have a huge impact on students not only academically, but in just about every aspect of their lives. Studies have shown that students who are involved in music and art programs have an overall higher IQ and show signs of many other academic benefits. Participating in such programs also allow students the opportunity to express themselves artistically and show the world their perhaps otherwise hidden potential. We all know how fun it can be to show the world your unexpected abilities, and what better way to show those off than the place where we spend most of our day-to-day lives? Unfortunately, even with all these obvious benefits, when the school budget is short, the first