The Importance of Music Education in Schools

sho“Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school. Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66 percent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group. For comparison, (44 percent) of biochemistry majors were admitted. Also, a study of 7,500 university students revealed that music majors scored the highest reading scores among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math”.
Sources: "The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-focus University," Peter H. Wood, ERIC Document No. ED327480"The Case for Music in the Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, February, 1994

Percentage of Americans who believe: * Music is a part of a well-rounded education 95% * Music is an activity that a child can enjoy all his/her life 98% * Learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subjects 92% * Music brings the family together 90% * School band is a good way for young people to develop teamwork skills 97% * Schools should offer music as a part of the regular curriculum 93% * Music gives children a sense of accomplishment 95% * Music helps teach children discipline 92% * Music helps instill an appreciation of arts and culture 96%

The U.S. spends more money than any other country in the world per student on education yet does not have the numbers to show it. Japan and Netherlands though put requirements on every single student to be a part of music enriching class through most of primary school