Why Music?
This page has been developed to show links to websites that parents can use to help their children understand the importance of music in their lives. There is more and more data and research that is showing the significance of a quality music education.
Articles
A Thank You Letter to High School Marching Band
http://theodysseyonline.com/north-georgia/thank-you-letter-high-school-marching-band/225028
Why I'd Spend a Lot More Time Practicing Scales If I Could Do It All Over Again
Musicians' Brains Really Do Work Differently - In a Good Way
3 Ways It Takes a Community to Develop a Great Music Program
http://www.nafme.org/3-ways-it-takes-a-community-to-develop-a-great-music-program-2/
Why is Music Education Important
http://todaysmenzone.com/why-is-music-education-important/
Happier Students, Higher Scores: The Role of Arts Integration
http://www.theedadvocate.org/happier-students-higher-scores-the-role-of-arts-integration/
Why Scheduling More Performances Will Save Your Child's Life (and Your Music Program)
Music Lessons Spur Emotional and Behavioral Growth in Children, New Study Says
The Top Reasons College Band Kids Are Successful after College
Apparently the Cool Kids Were in High School Band After All
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/apparently-cool-kids-were-high-school-band-after-all
Band Demand: High School Marching Band Programs Require Discipline, Pride
http://cumberlink.com/news/local/education/article_3bfb1e5b-e70c-5f46-affd-f8c255698a11.html
Who Actually Quits Musical Instrument Instruction - Children or Their Parents?
3 Things Parents Must Tell Their Children When They Begin a Musical Instrument
6 Invaluable Lessons All Marching Band Directors Teach Their Students
http://www.retale.com/blog/invaluable-lessons-all-marching-band-directors-teach-their-students/
Why Should I Send My Child to Private Music Lessons?
http://mattixmusic.com/send-child-private-music-lessons/
High School Band Classes May Boost Teen Brains
6 Things I Learned from My High School Band Director
http://theodysseyonline.com/dayton/6-things-learned-high-school-band-director/135360
Cognitive Benefits of Being a Musician
http://pianodao.com/2015/08/09/cognitive-benefits-of-being-a-musician/
Six Reasons Why the Arts Are the Ideal Vehicle to Teach 21st Century Success Skills
Science Just Discovered Something Amazing About What Childhood Piano Lessons Did to You
Why Music? Why Band?
http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-music-band-tim-lautzenheiser-grant-johnston
Is Music the Key to Success?
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/is-music-the-key-to-success.html?_r=1&referrer
Playing Chamber Music Is the Best Way for Children to Learn an Instrument
Student Has Amazing Breakthrough by Doing What Teacher Says
http://www.throwcase.com/2014/10/27/student-has-amazing-breakthrough-by-doing-what-teacher-says/
An End-of-Year Letter to New Music Parents
http://getbanded.com/an-end-of-year-letter-to-new-music-parents/
A Musical Fix for American Schools
http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-musical-fix-for-american-schools-1412954652
Bringing Back What Works in Education
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-damkohler/bringing-back-what-works-_b_6754458.html
Marching Beyond Halftime
http://www.marchingbeyondhalftime.com/
Musicians Have Better Long-term Memory
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/musicians_have_better_longterm_memory-149457
9 Common Lessons of Music Education that Translate into Success
20 Important Benefits of Music in Our Schools
http://www.nafme.org/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/#.VAnmZQ6kAXM.twitter
We're All on the Same Team
http://www.amparents.org/were-all-on-the-same-team/
Music Is Food for the Soul, Not Fodder for Learning Standards
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurie-levy/music-is-food-for-the-sou_b_5822784.html
Let the Kid Study Music, Already!
http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2014/09/03/let-the-kid-study-music-already/
The Extraordinary Benefits of Music Education
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/the-extraordinary-benefits-learning-music.html
Creativity and the Brain: What We Can Learn from Jazz Musicians
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/04/11/the-link-between-jazz-improvisation-and-student-creativity/
How Music Can Improve Memory
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/09/22/how-music-can-improve-memory/
Why Do Music Students Have Higher SAT Scores?
http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/music-students-have-higher-sat-scores-but-why-58468
Music Training Sharpens Brain Pathways, Studies Say
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/11/25/13music.h33.html
5 Reasons Why Music Classes Are the Best Test Prep for Your Kids
New Evidence of Mental Benefits from Musical Training
http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/new-evidence-brain-benefits-music-training-83761
What Everybody Ought to Know about Band
http://www.amparents.org/what-everybody-ought-to-know-about-band/
Two Million Reasons Why Band Kids Are So Responsible
http://www.amparents.org/have-you-ever-considered/
Why I'd Spend a Lot More Time Practicing Scales if I Could Do It All Over Again
Unpacking the Science: How Playing Music Changes the Learning Brain
How Music Education Powers the STEAM Movement
http://neatoday.org/2014/07/16/how-music-education-powers-the-steam-movement/
Musicians are Probably Smarter Than the Rest of Us
Music Education Starts Early with Parents as Key Partners
The Benefits of Music Education
http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/benefits/
Using Music to Close the Academic Gap
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/using-music-to-close-the-academic-gap/280362/
The Importance of Music Education in Schools
http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/31/music.education.cake.difiore/
Twelve Benefits of Music Education
http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/twelve-benefits-of-music-education/
Music Education and Childhood Brain Development
http://www.eduguide.org/article/music-education-and-childhood-brain-development
Why Does Music Make Us Feel?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-music-make-us-fe/
Lessons from My Band Director
http://theodysseyonline.com/una/lessons-from-band-director/171441
8 Surprising Ways Music Affects and Benefits Our Brains
http://blog.bufferapp.com/music-and-the-brain
Art Is Vital
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/06/why-kids-need-arts-in-education/373640/
Arts: The Full Value of Music Education
Music Changes the Way You Think
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/music-changes-the-way-you-think/
Musical Training Increases Blood Flow to the Left Side of the Brain
What Is Music and the Arts' Place in the Real Mission of Our Education System?
The Value of Music
The Best Extra-Curricular Activity at Most High Schools Is Band, Particularly Marching Band
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/03/column_beating_the_drum_for_ma.html
18 Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument
Can Music Improve Athletic Performance?
http://www.innovauni.com/can-music-improve-athletic-performance/
How Brains See Music as Language
Educators Say that High School Band Students Have the Advantage in Several Ways
http://www.theledger.com/article/20130803/news/130809754
What Percentage of Students are "Meant" to Be Playing a Musical Instrument in School?
Why Extra Curricular Activities Aren't Extra
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/04/29/why-extra-curricular-activities-are-not-extra/
3 Things Parents Must Tell Their Kids When They Start a Musical Instrument
Ten Reasons Why People Who Learn Music Are More Likely to Be Successful
Music Education Improves Students' Academic Performance, but Active Participation Is Required
Why Music Majors Make Some of the Best Entrepreneurs
Why Musicians Are Better Multitaskers
http://theweek.com/articles/442813/why-musicians-are-better-multitaskers
Study: Two Years of Music Education Improves Reading, Speech
Study: Music Really Does Make Kids Smarter
http://www.worldmag.com/mobile/article.php?id=31447
Even a Few Years of Music Training Benefits the Brain
Musicians Are Probably Smarter Than the Rest of Us
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/20/music-intelligence_n_904124.html
My View: Everything I Need to Know, I Learned in Music Class
Op-Ed: Music in the Schools Teaches Lifelong Lessons
Why Your Teen Should Join Marching Band
http://alphamom.com/parenting/big-kid/why-your-teen-should-join-school-marching-band/
10+ Values Marching Band Students Learn
http://www.virtualmusicoffice.com/10-values-marching-band-students-learn/
Is Music the Key to Success?
New Evidence Links Music Education, Higher Test Scores
http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/new-evidence-links-music-education-higher-test-scores-64980
How Music Technology Can Boost Student Skills
Hearing the Music, Honing the Mind
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hearing-the-music-honing/
A Very Cool Look at High School marching Bands
http://www.charlesapple.com/2013/09/this-one-time-at-band-camp/
10 Fastest Growing Jobs in the USA
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/09/02/10-fastest-growing-jobs-in-usa/2750169/
Children's Ability to Follow a Beat May Impact Reading, Language Skills
Videos
Parents Talk to Parents about Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGHY2Fog66g&feature=youtu.be
Dan Levitin: Music and the Brain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsJl6Pys880
The Value of the Arts as a Community Investment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImO8U6tFlXU
I Make My Children Do Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6touXPAQhE&feature=youtu.be
Marching Beyond Halftime
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o9zrPdGDOM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id_Gp64_2Rk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcaeMCXtzzU
How Playing and Instrument Benefits Your Brain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng
The Effects of Music on the Brain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUT9UTVrwp8
Music Education and the Brain
Music Education Advocacy Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIRku__lrnA
Richard Gill - The Value of Music Education
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKMh_y_MAKs&feature=youtu.be
Charles Limb: Your Brain on Improv
http://www.ted.com/talks/charles_limb_your_brain_on_improv?language=en#t-122680
Why Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLhJHLSkvLA&feature=related
What If Every Child Had Access to Music Education from Birth?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueqgenARzlE
Be Part of the Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE8fpJMdeUs&feature=youtu.be
Did You Know?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1njTXx47vHs&feature=related
Music Education Advocacy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoHGUSnz1NQ&playnext=1&list=PLF6690C87706F8011
Music For All