There are many benefits of the study of music and every child/student should be exposed to this fun and educational method of learning.  Music instruction provides children with the much needed discipline that s/he will need to possess today.  Music is a valued part of culture and learning music in school contributes to student achievement and development in four important categories:

Success in society:  Music is a part of the fabric of society; to some effect it is easy enough to say that without music we would be naked in some form.  Music provides us with a sense of wholeness that encompasses a sense of unity amongst us all.  We live in a society that includes various cultures; every culture uses music to express personal interest, principles and ideas.  Music education in school would prove to be most beneficial to our students because it shapes and molds the individual according to his/her abilities and character. 

Success in school and learning:  It is safe to state that how you succeed in society is contingent upon how successful you are in school.  The discipline of music instruction affords students the opportunity to hone skills that they otherwise would not be able to effectively express and utilize in any other given situation.  Students in the music education program will constantly utilize their studying skills, communication skills and cognitive skills and these skills are directly applicable to succeeding in school.

According to the Journal of Research in Music Education, students in top-quality school music programs score higher on standardized tests in math and English than those students in a lower-quality music program; with that being said it also shows that students in a lower-quality music program score higher in math and English than those students who had no music program at all.

Success in developing intelligence:  Undoubtedly, success in school and in society rests on the ability of the student; music instruction can positively influence and increase a child’s level of intelligence.  Playing musical instruments can improve the way the brain processes parts of speech; many research studies have been conducted in order to test how music study can contribute to brain development.  Various studies have shown that children who have taken music lessons have a difference in increased brain development and improved memory over those children that have never had music lessons. 

Success in life:  Every caring adult wants our children to achieve success whether it is in school, in social settings or in employment; therefore, you can see that music education provides children with an appreciation of the various facets of life.  Music education is not solely limited to training; it applies the principles of being disciplined through the course of studying and practicing music to everyday life. 

Given the conducted studies and proven facts it would seem as though music education should or would be a requirement of all school programs, however, it is not..  Unfortunately, many schools within Philadelphia do not have the finances available to provide their students with such a program.

The art of music instruction can leave a lasting impression on a child and can be the key to increasing communication, self-expression, self-discipline, self-esteem and self-fulfillment.  So, the question at hand is, would it be an understatement to say that we need music education in schools?  You decide.