“In public education systems in North America, arts courses, including music courses, are commonly underfunded in comparison with what are often referred to as academic courses, including math, science and English,” said Peter Gouzouasis, PhD, of the University of British Columbia, an author of the study of more than 100,000 Canadian students. “It is believed that students who spend school time in music classes, rather than in further developing their skills in math, science and English classes, will underperform in those disciplines. Our research suggests that, in fact, the more they study music, the better they do in those subjects.”
The research was published in the Journal of Educational Psychology®.
In a 2003 Gallup Poll, 95% of Americans believe that music is a key component in a child’s well-rounded education. Three quarters of those surveyed feel that schools should mandate music education.
Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Toward Music,” 2003
A study of 237 second grade children involved with both piano keyboard training and innovative math software scored 27% higher on proportional math and fractions tests than students using only the math software.
Amy Graziano, Matthew Peterson, and Gordon Shaw, Neurological Research 21, March 1999
Students of lower socioeconomic status who took music lessons in grades 8-12 increased their math scores significantly as compared to non-music students. But just as important, reading, history, geography and even social skills soared by 40%.
Gardiner, Fox, Jeffrey and Knowles, Nature, May 23, 1996
78% of Americans feel learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subjects.
Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Toward Music,” 2003
The schools that produced the highest academic achievement in the United States today are spending 20% to 30% of the day on the arts, with special emphasis on music.
International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IAEEA) Test, 1988
88% of Americans believe participation in music helps teach children discipline.
Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Toward Music,” 2003
Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school.
Lewis Thomas, Case for Music in the Schools, Phi Delta Kappa, 1994
Students who were exposed to music-based lessons scored a full 100% higher on fractions tests than those who learned in the conventional manner.
Neurological Research, March 15, 1999
High school music students have been shown to hold higher grade point averages (GPA) than non-musicians in the same school.
National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988
71% of Americans surveyed by the Gallup Poll believe that teenagers who play an instrument are less likely to have disciplinary problems.
Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Toward Music,” 2003
A study of 7,500 university students revealed that music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math.
The Case for Music in the Schools, Phi Delta Kappa, 1994
Middle school and high school students who participated in instrumental music performances scored significantly higher than their non-band peers in standardized tests.
University of Sarasota Study, Jeffrey Lynn Kluball; East Texas State University Study, Daryl Erick Trent
In 2003, 54% of American households reported having a least one musical instrument player, the highest figure since the study began in 1978.
Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Toward Music,” 2003
The College Entrance Examination Board found that students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal tests and 44 points higher on math tests than students with no arts participation.
College-Bound Seniors National Report. “Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ.” The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001
The world’s top academic countries place a high value on music education. Hungary, the Netherlands and Japan have required music training at the elementary and middle school levels, both instrumental and vocal, for several decades.
1988 International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IAEEA) Test
Music training helps underachievers. Students lagging behind in scholastic performance caught up to their fellow students in reading and surpassed their classmates in math by 22% when given music instruction over seven months.
Nature, May 23, 1996
College-age musicians are emotionally healthier than their non-musician counterparts for performance anxiety, emotional concerns and alcohol-related problems.
Houston Chronicle, January 11, 1998
A Columbia University study revealed that students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident and better able to express their ideas. These benefits exist across socioeconomic levels.
The Arts Education Partnership, 1999
The nation’s top business executives agree that arts education programs can help repair weaknesses in America.