Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • June 2013
9
Music: The Driving Force For
All Learning
Clearly one of the
hottest
topics
in today’s educational community
is “brain-based learning.” While all
learning is certainly “brain-based,”
this specific label refers to the
lasting connections (mind maps)
of information (the curriculum)
to the student’s retained learning.
Simply put, does the exchanged
material have beneficial relevancy
to the individual’s journey in life?
Will it be used? Does it
really
make a difference, or is it just a
template of facts and figures that
they memorize for the assigned test
and then soon forget due to lack of
reinforcement and/or application?
Ongoing research points to
MUSIC as
the discipline
that has
the most positive impact on every
facet of human development. As
a personal point-of-view, I am
certainly not in favor of justifying
our school music programs on
the premise they are necessary to
increase math and verbal skills.
Music for the sake of music
is
the purist defense of the reason
EVERY child should have a solid
background in music; it is certainly
evident to all of us, but let us keep
in mind, we see this discussion
through the eyes of trained
musicians. Our biased opinions
are evident. However, rather than
shy away from the compelling
data (which is crucially important
to administrators, curriculum
specialists, and PARENTS), we
must take the initiative to share
it with everyone so ALL children
have the opportunity
to experience the
language-of-music
and the joy of
mus i c -mak i ng .
Music for the
sake of music
is
certainly THE
REASON
for
music in our
schools, but if
we don’t have
the music in the
curriculum (and
available to all
students), the
ultimate goal will
never be attained.
The solid evi-
dence suggests
music is central to
all learning; for many, music is the
driving force supporting all other
areas of learning. In addition to the
countless cognitive (academically
assessed) benefits, music-making
offers a host of healthy life-habits;
creativity, self-discipline, teamwork
skills, cooperation, persistence,
motivation, etc. Aren’t these the
very life-skills we are trying to
bring to every student to foster a
better culture?
In the words of noted research
author Eric Jensen,
The musical arts should be valued
in schools not only because the
merging science supports
them, but because the
dynamic and broad-
based appeal of
music is equivalent
to other widely
accepted disciplines.
Beyond that, consider
how music has
impacted your
own aesthetic
awareness, cul-
tural exposure,
social harmony,
emotional ex-
pression and
appreciation of
diversity, and
sense of self.
Unlike many
other academic studies, music is
constantly justifying its place in
the daily school schedule. Whether
right or wrong, it means every
music teacher must embrace
the responsibilities of music
advocacy. We must bring parents,
administrators, and decision-
makers up-to-speed availing them
to the latest findings that highlight
Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
Sponsored by
Conn-Selmer Inc. ,
Dr. Tim wi l l present
“Cooperat ion Over
Compet i t ion”
on Sunday, July 21
at 4:00 p.m