Strings and Dreams Cut: How Does Eliminating Music Education Affect Academic Performance?

Strings and Dreams Cut: How Does Eliminating Music Education Affect Academic Performance? In May 2005, “93% of Americans [believed] that the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children [and] 86% agree an arts education encourages and assists in the improvement of a child’s attitudes toward school” (Ruppert 7). Yet, every day there are more and more music programs being cut from school curriculums. Some schools have cut all extra-curricular activities, including sports, while others may have only cut music programs. So people often ask: what is the impact of choosing to cut music programs in schools? Or: does music even affect students' academic performance? In a world where music is part of the everyday lifestyle in some way, cutting music programs from school curriculums due to "financial problems" does more harm than good for students, teachers, parents, older and newer generations alike directly and indirectly affected because of the impact on the human brain caused by music. Music is seen as a blessing to many individuals because it has such a positive impact on students, teachers, parents, and all generations because we are all linked to music somehow. These programs in the arts (band, choir, orchestra, and art to name a few) have such an impact on civilization every day. In some cases the arts helps children develop self-confidence, convince students of school’s value, and can teach about past civilizations (Chira). Students who are involved in music have so much more confidence in themselves and use their talents to express themselves; this is easier to do when they have an adult they look up to that completely supports them. Scott Voss, the main character from “Here Comes the Boom” is the perfect example. He risked his life and career just to restore faith in the young students in music and to raise money to fund their music program. Another example is a teacher from the New York Times article “As Schools Trim Budgets, The Arts