The Importance of Music

In an article from 2024, Andrew Budson, MD, stated that music activates “just about all of our brain and keeps our brain networks strong”. We know that students who play musical instruments, or sing in choirs, perform better academically.  When given the opportunity to sing or play in groups, such as bands, orchestras, or choirs, these students exhibit more empathy, and find many close friendships, some that will last a lifetime.  They also have less anxiety and depression compared to their peers.

When learning an instrument, especially while learning to read music at the same time, we ask our minds and bodies to use both fine and gross motor skills, breath development, and mathematical elements to accomplish the goal of playing our music.  Playing or singing together demands that we listen to one another, so that together, we can make music in harmony.

In high schools across America, over 90% of valedictorians and salutatorians, (those students with the highest-grade point averages in their class) participate in their high school band, orchestra, or chorus.

Starting music at an early age, is especially beneficial to brain development, but it is never too late to begin your music training.  Music can help re-establish brain pathways in both young and older adults.  Joining an adult band, orchestra, or choir, helps foster community, and lasting relationships.

So why wouldn’t we enroll our children in music lessons, and take the initiative, as adults, to participate in music?  The benefits are just too great for any of us to miss out on.