Although numerous studies prove the benefits of music, it is still often overlooked when considering the academic worth of a subject. Adding music to the classroom, or within a school is in part due to the lack of funding and assistance which often limits their music programs. Music education can be considered complicated to fund as it demands space, qualified teachers, instruments and sheet music; all costs that a cash-trapped music department cannot take on. When limited budgets present itself, in often times it is the first subject to lose funding is music. As an elective subject, music is often the one to go – while core subjects like math, science, and reading tend to be prioritized.
In many school boards, music programs rely on community support to get started and keep going. This can be difficult to depend on as it relies on a lot of donations of both time and money by parents and community members. Many families struggle themselves, and time constraints do not allow time for organizing fundraisers, donating money, or volunteering their time to help. This often leads to many schools having weak music programs that could have otherwise been strong. Parents face hard decisions, do they take their child to soccer or swimming, or music programs or both?
Music sadly, is often the one that goes; unless parents can participate at home with pianos, and other musical instruments, but implementing a music group / class in schools is, in many times not a priority.
Another aspect is the pressure put on institutions to fulfill and comply with academic performance targets and standards-based testing. Because music is generally excluded from standardized testing, it might be viewed as less important. The use of less instructional time within a musical curriculum will indicate to school administrators that they need to focus their efforts on other subjects that increase the school rankings and the overall academic performance of the school.
Research has shown that music can improve cognitive development, and the development of the ability to think and create, the ability to emotionally express oneself and the ability to relate to others, socially. The act of participating in music activities, such as participating in a class that involves singing, playing musical instruments, or learning to play a drum, improves the ability to focus, improves the ability to remember, and improves the ability to work cooperatively with other children, and it can be fun to.
With improved funding and supportive community, the inclusion of music in the curriculum, allows for the opportunity to improve the overall development of the children within that community. Improved inclusion of music within the existing school curriculum, provides the opportunity for children to engage in self-expression, create, work collaboratively with others and develop their self-confidence. Music can be a powerful tool and should be made a higher priority in the classroom.
