The Value of Music

The Value of Music

by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

FOR THOSE of us who are deeply involved in teaching music, it is apparent what an important role the arts, specifically music, play in the development of any student. It is unthinkable to consider preparing a child for life without a solid background in music, but it is obvious we need to remind others of this reality. The following is a collage of "reasons why" it is important for music to be a fundamental part of every child's learning, and this essay can be used in its entirety or excerpted as needed when addressing any group who needs to be informed. Just as there can be no music without learning, no education is complete without music.
If we believe schools exist to develop a child for a productive and meaningful life, then we must look at the contribution music makes in the scope of the total curriculum. The rationale below is broken into four main areas of focus: intrinsic value of music, academic and peer associations, preparation for life, and building individual positive self-worth. Each of the four main reasons stands on its own, but together they present a powerful combination.

INTRINSIC VALUE
       The process of making music is the reward. Unlike many things we do in school, music is music for its own sake. Music is beauty within itself. It offers a microcosm of life, for the essence of life is in the living: the journey, not the destination; the process, not the product; and ultimately the purpose, not the outcome -- much like the man who fishes not to catch fish, but for the pleasure of fishing, and who throws caught fish back in the water so he can fish some more.
       Music offers an opportunity to experience the pleasure of self-expression at a new level, opening exciting vistas of self-satisfaction. So much of our educational system is "impressionistic." Students are given the material and the better they can repeat it, the higher the grade they get. There is little chance to "create" or add a personal touch to the assignments. In fact, individuality is often discouraged.
       Music class is a place which is "expressionistic" and students are encouraged to put their own thoughts and feelings into their music-making. This offers a much-welcomed change from the normal learning process.
       The veteran musician knows that music speaks to something more subtle than the intellect; it speaks to the very soul of human kind. Music is woven into the fiber of our life, our spirit. We are moved, changed, alerted to a new sense of knowing by experiencing music. Think of your reaction when you hear Handel's "Messiah," or witness a fine band marching down the street at the local parade or feel the heart-wrenching plea of a talented blues singer. We know there is happy music, sad music, music for celebrations, and music to soothe wounded emotions. What else can generate such feelings?
       Music stretches one's understanding of self, which in turn helps us understand others. And every musician will quickly tell you it stimulates a part of the mind which opens our imagination, bringing about a highly intellectual activity we have come to call joy.

ACADEMIC AND PEER ASSOCIATION
       We become like the people with whom we associate. The world of behavioral psychology continues to point out the reality of personality modification through peer association. We are adaptable creatures and we quickly conform to our environment (whatever it may be) to perpetuate our survival. Therefore, if our children are going to become academically strong, it would reason they should be spending time in the presence of other successful students. With this in mind, consider these findings: Students in music are scoring 20 to 40 points higher on SAT tests, and the longer a student participates in the school music program, the higher the SAT scores.
       Music develops the appetite for learning and creates habits of self-discipline and personal tenacity which carry over into every facet of school. Young musicians are skilled at concentration, alertness, memory, and self-control. These attributes are basic for success in higher education, but more importantly, in succeeding at life.
       There is a strong correlation between music and disciplines of science and math - music uses the same reasoning processes. And the social requirements of group effort and communication, along with the development of motor skills, are an integral part of every music lesson.
        Many have said that their musical background helped to develop the "forgotten side of the brain," for music encourages us to use acquired knowledge to deal with various aspects of life: values, ethics, creative decision making, and problem solving. Music is not the answer, but a set of questions requiring the individual to "discover the answer." Life is not about answers, but rather a quest to find the answers, and the more profound the question, the more exciting the search for the answer.

PREPARATION FOR LIFE
We all want our children to experience a healthy, happy, and prosperous life and to enjoy themselves in the process. There are certainly mental tools which aid in this goal, and music is crucial in honing these tools:

Creativity. Music opens new horizons of the mind and supports wonderment, imagination, appreciation, and sensitivity. Creativity is the source of possibility and is a mental muscle that must be trained and exercised often.

Communication. Music is a language beyond words. Music can only be explained with music because of its various styles, textures, tempos, and dynamics. It can elicit an emotion. Think of what television or movies would be without music warning us of the impending danger, or setting the mood for the festivities of a wedding. Music truly stirs the soul of people. No words or visual display can come close to the emotional impact of music.

Critical Assessment. Music is one of the key areas where an individual can develop a consistency between intellectual and emotional understanding. Here is the chance to bridge the cognitive and affective data of life, which many feel is the recipe of genius. Music offers one the chance to conceptualize, not just respond. In other words, we can create formulas instead of just solutions, and we can be proactive rather than reactive. We can open the mind and avoid tunnel vision - and in doing so, come up with discerning opinions which develop quality character.

Commitment. It is almost impossible to be "partially committed" to music. One may quit on a test, refuse to turn in an assignment, or just not be aware of what is going on in a lecture class, but the participation level in music requires a focus of attention unlike most subjects in school. Music causes one to learn persistence and the value of "not giving up," even when there is the temptation to throw in the towel. Many have pointed to "stay power" as one of the greatest personal attributes in our society. Welcome to one of the key benefits of the study of music.

BUILDING INDIVIDUAL POSITIVE SELF-WORTH
Every individual is a unique and important source of human potential. To be able to offer our personal artistic signature to any endeavor offers us a special place in life. Music does give us a vehicle to critically express our individuality while supporting our fellow beings.

In a very important way, it allows us to know who we are and answer the question we all face, "why do I exist?" In music, we do matter, we do make a difference, we do have value. Nobody can make the same contribution to the art as we alone can.

Music offers us a balance between what we take and what we give, and through giving (or expressing), our self- image rises because we have brought something unique to the world. We are unique, exclusive, and important. We have value as a vital member of society, and the awareness of this reality encourages us to be responsible in our actions as a contributing member of the community.

In today's world, so many young people seem to be lost, swimming about in a maze of quick fixes, desperately looking for something other than fashion labels with which to identify. If their musical talents are developed, nurtured, and sought, then their value increases, and they have worth... self-worth, the most important component of a fruitful life.

This article certainly does not suggest the study of music to the exclusion or expense of other subject areas, but merely states the fundamental importance of the music in the basic development of the student. It is the birthright of every child, and it becomes our duty to see it is delivered.

There is an important duty we all share as music educators, and it has been dormant in many job outlines. Although we can turn our backs on the plight of music education, it is our moral duty to wave our own flag. Although we may feel incompetent as lobbyists for our own cause, the alternative is extinction.

The questions are bold and simple:

If not now, when?

If not here, where?

If not you, who?

Just as there can be no music without learning, there can be no education without music. Let the music begin.

Dr. Lautzenheiser, founder of Attitude Concepts for Today, travels throughout the United States and Canada working with and speaking to young musicians in developing a desire for excellence.