Next Year, Take a Music Class

Music education has many academic and cognitive benefits.

Believe it or not, taking a music class has been linked with higher scores in a variety of subjects.

"High schoolers who take music courses score significantly better on exams in certain other subjects, including math and science, than their nonmusical peers," said researchers from the American Psychological Association.

Furthermore, the APA's research also found that the more a student studied music, the better they performed academically.

The National Association for Music Education writes that other studies have found that students involved in music get higher scores on the SAT and other standardized tests. This organization believes that advocacy for music is crucial to ensure a well-rounded education for students.

On top of improved testing, the skills you can gain from studying music can apply to your life in countless other ways.

Many music students enjoy the ways that their knowledge has enriched their experience as music listeners.

"Now, when I listen to music, I can hear like, 'oh I know the time signature, and I know what instrument is playing right now," said Amaris Alverio-Serrano, 10, a band student.

Other students have received neat new opportunities, such as Isaiah Brasher, 12, and Sophia Bittar, 11, who were able to sing with Edgewood's chorus as a part of the Candlelight Processional, an annual Walt Disney World holiday performance. Another student, Mikey Woodrich, 12, shared how playing violin in Edgewood's orchestra has challenged and motivated them.

"I've... gotten chances to play in different competitions, learning how to handle failure and work hard toward a goal," says Woodrich.

Music classes have not only been something comfortingly consistent about my Edgewood experience, but they have also taught me so many valuable skills. Getting to learn more about music theory (chords, rhythm, form, etc.) has greatly enhanced my experience as a listener. I also enjoy composing music, which has become one of my favorite hobbies. I owe it to band classes for equipping me with the skills to do so.

Edgewood's music program has a welcoming community.

Furthermore, Edgewood's music program provides students with a supportive community and a chance to collaborate with others in a positive environment. For me, taking wind band and jazz band classes has given me the chance to meet some of my best friends. There are many people that I may not have gotten the opportunity to meet if it weren't for music classes. Not to mention, it's also fun to make music and perform with a group of peers.

Many students find support and encouragement from their music classes through their instrument sections. Alverio-Serrano plays saxophone in Wind Ensemble and Jazz band and finds community in her fellow saxophone players.

"I love them, it's a good community... we are all one big family, everyone knows everyone," says Alverio-Serrano.

Orchestra student Jenna Golden, 11, also enjoys the comradery in her class. "The community in orchestra has always been very welcoming... We all get along really well and everyone within my section helps each other out. We all root each other on and are really tight knit," says Golden.

Alex Wu, 11, finds solace in the orchestra's peaceful environment.

"The community is relaxed... everyone would be glad to help or ask a question if they needed some assistance," says Wu.

Personally, I love the friendships I've made through Band and the chance to express myself and collaborate with others that I get in class every day. It feels good to be a part of a family of fellow musicians at Edgewood.

Taking a music class has many mental health benefits.

Taking a music class also gives you the chance to release stress and express yourself through music during the school day. Experienced music educator Erin Bailey writes about how recent studies from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Medical Science Monitor have shown that participation in music can effectively reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in young people.

“If the majority of an adolescent’s waking time is spent in a school environment, then one can see that schools can potentially have the greatest influence on the mental health of a child outside the home… As music educators, we are in a prime position to affect the mental and emotional health of our students in positive ways,” said Bailey.

Intriguingly, some researchers attribute this effect to the inherent benefits of music on mental health, as well as how music classes especially can help students feel connected to and accepted by others.

For me, having a break from academic classes to make music is always refreshing. No matter how much stress I am under, I always feel better when I get to play in Band. Countless other music students feel the same way: Brasher, for one, shared that singing in Chorus helps him relax.

"Whenever I'm singing, the world just seems to melt away and I forget about a lot of stuff until after class…. It's a very calming experience," says Brasher.

Chorus isn't the only music class that can be relaxing. For Mia Rosenfeld,12, band is a powerful de-stresser.

"I know going into that class will help me unwind from a stressful school day," says Rosenfeld.

Edgewood can definitely be pretty stressful, so the opportunity to relax and destress is a valuable one- and music can provide that opportunity.

For those of you teetering on the edge about adding one of these classes to your schedule, here is some advice from music students.

Bria Cottrell, 11, wants to encourage anyone who might be nervous about whether they would enjoy a music class.

“Don't be nervous because you will be welcomed, and you are going to have so much fun and meet some really awesome friends," says Cottrell.

Golden believes that although a music class can take a lot of practice and time, the investment is always worth it in the end. The musical growth students undergo, and the experience of performing are incredibly rewarding. For me, performing makes me feel like all of the hard work I’ve put in during the year has paid off, and the results can be very gratifying.

I suggest that you give a music class a try this coming year. After one year, you don’t have to stick with it, but you’ll never know if you might enjoy it if you never try it. It’s worth a try, and gives you the chance to open yourself up to new experiences.

Ultimately, you should consider signing up for a music class next year. You don’t want to miss out on what these classes have to offer you. If you give it a try, you might be surprised at the skills you gain, the friends you make, and the improvements you notice in your mental health.