According to a recent statewide survey, student
involvement in extracurricular or cocurricular activities
makes students resilient to current substance use among
their peers. Secondary students who participated in band,
orchestra or choir reported the lowest lifetime use of
all substances.
- 1994 Texas School Survey of Substance Abuse Among
Students: Grades 7-12
All-State music students consistently score over
200 points higher on the SAT than non-music students,
indicating that high performing students have a strong
interest in pursuing serious music interests while
excelling in other academic areas. (see
All-State SAT Data)
- TMEA Survey, 1988-98
A recent study states that music majors have the
highest rate of admittance to medical school, a whopping
66.7%. Biochemistry, the subject area closest to
medicine, has a rate of 59.2 %,
- Rockefeller Foundation
Music students always outperform non-music students
on achievement tests in reading and math. Because of
their study of music, their skills are better in reading,
anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall and
concentration.
- B. Friedman, "An Evaluation of the Achievement
in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School
Instrumental Music Classes."
Arts Education aids students in skills needed in
the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems
and communicate; the ability to learn new skills, to be
creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.
- Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Corporate
Communications, Xerox. Corporation
Participation in the fine arts engenders
discipline, a sense of community, trust, and teamwork.
All of these qualities are essential to a student's
potential success in the workplace.
- Dr. Mike Moses,
Former Texas Commissioner of Education
The things I learned form my experience in music
in school are discipline, perseverance, dependability,
composure, courage and pride in results...Not a bad
preparation for the work force!
- Gregory Anrig,
President, Educational Testing Service
I believe arts education in music, theater, dance
and the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we
have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the
surface. They (children) have an enthusiasm for life, a
spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations that need
training...training that prepares them to become
confident young men and women. As I visit schools around
the country I see a renewed interest in arts education
and a growing concern about the negative impact of
cutting art and music out of the curriculum. The
creativity of the arts and the joy of music should be
central to the education of every American child.
- Richard W. Riley,
U.S. Secretary of Education
