Did you know...

Students who are rhythmically skilled tend to better plan, sequence and coordinate actions in their daily lives.

    - "Cassily Column", TCAMS Professional Resource Center, 2000

College Admission officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admission decisions.  They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness.

    - Carl Hartman, "Arts May Improve Students' Grades," The Associated Press, October, 1999

A 1997 study of elementary students in an arts-based program concluded that students' math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes increased.

    - "Arts Exposure and Class Performance", Phi Delta Kappan, October 1998

In a 2000 Gallup Poll, seventy-five (75) percent of respondents believe learning a musical instrument helps students do better in other subjects, such as math and science.

    - Gallup Poll Shows Strong Support for Putting Music in Every School's Curriculum, Giles Communications, 2000

On the 1999 SAT, music students continued to outperform their non-arts peers, scoring 61 points higher on the verbal portion and 42 points higher on the math portion of the exam.

    - Steven M. Demorest and Steven J. Morrison, "Does Music Make you Smarter?" Music Educators Journal, September 2000.

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

• Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
• Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
• Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
• Perform community service more than four times as often

The facts are that arts education...

• strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
• helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting--skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
• can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning.
• provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations.
• helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
• helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done.
• makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries.
• helps children develop the mind and body by encouraging reflection and higher level thinking as well as active learning.
• helps stimulate and develop the imagination and refine cognitive and creative skills as well as critical thinking.
• teaches children the skills necessary to succeed in life, including developing an informed perception; articulating a vision; learning to solve problems and make decisions; building self-confidence and self-discipline; developing the ability to imagine what might be; and accepting responsibility to complete tasks from start to finish.
• nurtures important values, including team-building skills; respecting alternative points of view; and appreciating and being aware of different cultures and traditions.
• has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention.

Why Music Ed Newsletter #222

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES MUSIC EDUCATION RESOLUTION

 On May 4, 2004 the United States House of Representatives approved a resolution supporting music education.  We encourage you to send a letter to your congressperson thanking him or her for supporting music in schools.  It’s very easy to do, just visit www.house.gov/writerep and enter your zip code.  You will be linked right away to a form to contact your representative.  You can encourage your students and parents to write to their representative as well.

For a complete listing of sponsors and votes on this resolution, visit http://thomas.loc.gov and enter “H Con Res 380” in the “Bill Number” field.

 108^th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 380 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Whereas school music programs enhance intellectual development and enrich the academic environment for students of all ages;

Whereas students who participate in school music programs are less likely to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better attendance in school;

Whereas the skills gained through sequential music instruction, including discipline and the ability to analyze, solve problems, communicate, and work cooperatively, are vital for success in the 21^st century workplace;

Whereas the majority of students attending public schools in inner city neighborhoods have virtually no access to music education, which places them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other communities;

Whereas local budget cuts are predicted to lead to significant curtailment of school music programs, thereby depriving millions of students of an education that includes music;

Whereas the arts are a core academic subject, and music is an

essential element of the arts; and

Whereas every student in the United States should have an opportunity to reap the benefits of music education: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

That-- (1) it is the sense of the Congress that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should be available to every student in every school; and

(2) the Congress recognizes NAMM, the International Music Products Association for its efforts to designate a Music in Our Schools Month in order to highlight the important role that school music programs play in the academic and social development of children.

Passed the House of Representatives May 4, 2004.

Attest: Clerk.

Source: http://thomas.loc.gov enter “H Con Res 380” in search field

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL-BASED MUSIC EDUCATION PASSED BY US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 13, 2004-In a victory for school music education programs across the country, the US House of Representatives recently passed H.  CON.  RES, 380 recognizing the benefits and importance of school-based music education.  The resolution was read on the floor of the House on May 4, 2004 at 7:04 Eastern time and covered on cable television by C-SPAN.

The resolution, the result of years of lobbying by NAMM and its partners, was read by sponsor Representative Jim Cooper of Tennessee and was co-sponsored by 31 other representatives including congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham, a longtime ally of NAMM and music education.

“This resolution expresses the view of the Congress that studying music helps kids achieve in school and supports the industry’s efforts to make sure that all children have access to music study as part of a quality education,” said Mary Luehrsen, director of public affairs and government relations, NAMM.  “It also stresses that the developmental attributes taught by music education including discipline, analytical thinking, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills are vital for success in the 21^st century workplace.  This document gives grassroots advocacy groups a new tool in their local campaigns to preserve music education in our communities.”

The resolution also recognized NAMM “for its efforts to designate a national “Music in Our Schools Month” in order to highlight the important role that school music programs play in the academic and social development of children.”

“NAMM is pleased to be recognized by Congress and we share those accolades with many other organizations including MENC, the National Association for Music Education and The American Music Conference (AMC) who work daily to provide a strong music education for every child,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM.

Source: http://www.namm.com/pressroom/pressreleases/2004May13.html

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