The Question: Why Study Music?
Taken from: The Role of Music in the Life of Man.

So many times students and parents feel that the only goal of studying music is being able to play or sing a piece of music with no mistakes; and that the years of practicing are merely requirements for learning more difficult pieces.

While it is true that in most cases the primary goal of music lessons is the mastery of the particular instrument, studying music can have other beneficial effects upon a child. One educator states: "Music is the most logical subject in the early school, since it cuts across the skills which are vital to the learning experience. What are these skills?
 
  • READING
    In the primary grades, music reading skills have been found to facilitate basic reading skills such as oral reading, reading comprehension, and reading vocabulary. Reading music also teaches continuity in reading and contributes to the development of the child's aural integration."
  • LISTENING
    Music teaches concentration, memory skills, alertness, and self-control, all of which are important in learning how to listen attentively. Moreover, interesting relationships have been found to exist between listening and reading, intelligent and academic achievement.
  • SPEAKING
    Music instruction is available as a constructive force in the development of adequate speech behavior.
  • OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
    A significant relationship ha been found between musical concept scores and verbal and mathematical aptitude, as measured by the College Entrance examination Board test.
  • SELF-CONCEPT
    Daily music experience had a definite positive effect upon the self conceptual, social, and school attitudes of the experimental subjects (Students).
  • SELF-EXPRESSION
    Music can play a significant role in helping students emotionally. Music has value not only because it is an expresser of emotions but also because it is a releaser of emotions.
  • IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY
    Music education fosters imagination.... Educators of old have recognized the imagination as a strong driving force in learning.
  • PSYCHOMOTOR SKILLS
    Music facilitates the audio-tactile development in young eyes and ears, thereby strengthening the whole motor coordination into an experimental cognitive operation.
  • AESTHETIC TASTES
    The child's aesthetic capabilities and needs are often neglected in his general education. Music provides inexhaustible opportunities for aesthetic growth.
  • SOCIAL SKILLS
    Music can turn a child's delight from frequently participating in destructive activity into an orderly activity, thereby changing the fundamental significance of his actions. It can provide an opportunity for the development of: mutual respect, cooperative, democrative behavior, and new friendships."
Therefore, when a parent asks "Why should my child study music?" they should realize that music education teaches more than just note reading and learning songs.