Why children need music
Children love music -- it speaks in a language that they instinctively understand. Play music and even the youngest of toddlers will start moving to its beat. Music welcomes children into its world inviting them to match its pitch, sing its lyrics, move to its beat, explore its harmonic dimensions, and understand its message. Music makes children happy and is a creative means for self expression that integrates mind, body and spirit.
Recent studies have even shown that children who are involved in a school music program perform better academically than children who do not. In fact a study by Stanford University found that children who have a music program once a week are four times more likely to win an academic award or be named to the honor roll; three times more likely to win a school attendance award, eight times more likely to receive a community service award and four times more likely to participate in a science or math fair. This 10 year national study, based on the records of 30,000 children in 30 locations from Hawaii to Massachusetts, extolled the virtues of music.
A study of 1995 SAT college admissions test scores found that students who had studied music for more than four years scored higher than students who did not. Many studies have shown that singing improves speech, reading and the use of language. Music helps develop orderly thought, which also promotes good language.
Our aim is to meet the musical needs of preschools and elementary schools across the country. Too many children have too little music in their life -- or in class. We seek to fill that gap.
Music is a powerful instrument of education that fosters self-satisfaction and strong esteem in the children who create it. The door to music should remain open for every child as each is born with her very own musical instrument -- her voice. We want to hear that voice.
