Why Study Music?
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How playing an instrument benefits your brain: When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.
This Is Your Brain on Music: Have you ever heard a piece of music that triggered a powerful emotional response? Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin explains the connection between music and the brain in a talk that finally explains the songs on your break up playlist.
Project gives young brains the benefit of musical training: The Harmony Project, a music program for inner city kids in Los Angeles partners with a neurobiologist to study the impact of music training on the learning skills of poor children.
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“Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts.”
This is the opening statement of “The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles,” a document from the nation’s ten most important educational organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators, the National Education Association, the National Parent Teacher Association, and the National School Boards Association.
Musical Training Optimizes Brain Function:
Musical training before age 7 can benefit brain function for a lifespan.