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Welcome Fox Hollow Flyers!

Click on the grade level link above to view information about your music class. Is music just fun, or can it help you in other areas? Read below to learn more about how music develops your brain, helps with academic achievement, and affects our physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Can music affect academic achievement?

Studying music can improve a student's academic performance. According to the "College-Bound Senior National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers," students who had coursework or experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT. Students with music performance experience scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math than students with no arts participation. Students who had music appreciation classes scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math than students with no arts participation [(2001) The College Entrance Examination Board, Princeton, NJ].

When the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants were studied by biologist and physician Lewis Thomas, it was discovered that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted. That was the highest percentage of any other group. Only 44% of biochemistry majors were admitted [(February 1994) The Case for Music in the Schools, Phi Delta Kappan]. For more information about how music improves academic achievement click here.

 

How does music affect your brain development?

Dr. Jean Houston of the Foundation for Mind Research says that children without access to an arts program are actually damaging their brain because they are not using non-verbal modalities which help them learn skills like reading, writing, and math much more easily [Roehmann, Franz L. & Wilson, Frank R. (1988). The Biology of Music Making: Proceedings of the 1984 Denver conference. St. Louis; MMB Music Inc.].

Neurologist Amit Ray of Max Healthcare says, music "helps neurons communicate better, enhances motor skills and reduces hyperactivity," (IBNLive: For kids, music is therapy. www.ibnlive.com). To learn more about how music develops your brain click here.

 

Can music build our emotional well-being and self-esteem?

As a voice teacher, I have seen numerous examples of students whose self-esteem and self-confidence increase as they progress in their singing and perform in front of others. There are few things as frightening as singing in front of a crowd.

A McGill University study found that self-esteem improved for students given piano instruction over a three-year period [Costa-Giomi, E., (April 1998). The McGill Piano Project: Effects of three years of piano instruction on children's cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and self-esteem. Paper presented at the meeting of the Music Educators National Conference, Phoenix, AZ]. For more information about how music assists in our emotional development click here.

 

How does music affect our physical development and health?

Part of learning to sing is learning to breath correctly. Many people feel better after they sing and the key may be in the breathing. Correct breathing can increase your oxygen. According to Dr. Saxion in a  Lifestyle magazine article:

Only 10% of your energy comes from food and water, 90% of our energy comes from oxygen. Oxygen gives our body the ability to rebuild itself. Oxygen detoxifies the blood, and strengthens the Immune System. Oxygen displaces deadly free radicals, neutralizes environmental toxins, and destroys anaerobic (depleted of oxygen) bacteria, parasites, microbes and viruses. Oxygen greatly enhances the body's absorption of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, and other important nutrients. Oxygen enhances brain-power and memory. Oxygen can beneficially affect your learning ability. The ability to think, feel and act is all dependent on oxygen. It also calms the mind and stabilizes the nervous system. Oxygen heightens concentration and alertness. Without oxygen, brain cells die and deteriorate quickly (Saxion, B. Body Oxygen. Lifestyle.)

According to Dr. Frederick Tims, "Music making makes the elderly healthier . . . . There were significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and loneliness following keyboard lessons. These are factors that are critical in coping with stress, stimulating the immune system, and in improved health. Results also show significant increases in human growth hormones following the same group keyboard lessons. (Human growth hormone is implicated in aches and pains.)" [Reported in AMC Music News, June 2, 1999]. For more information about how music helps our physical development click here.

 

Does music affect our social development?

Roberta Konrad of UCLA found in her Los Angeles study that music integrated into 7th and 8th grade social studies produced both better subject performance and better social behaviors and attitudes. Konrad studied both 7th and 8th grade social studies students. One group had traditional social studies curriculum taught and the other group included music in the social studies curriculum. In the music integrated group Konrad discovered higher achievement grades in history and more positive social behaviors, including helping and sharing, increases in empathy for others, and reduced prejudice and racism [Konrad, R.R. (2000), Empathy, Arts and Social Studies, Dissertation Abs.:Human. & Soc. Sci., 60, pg 2352].  For more information about how music affects our social development click here.