How Music Education Elevates Academic Success and Awakens the Soul
Can playing the Violin actually improve a student’s SAT scores?
The answer is a resounding yes! Research shows that students involved in music education often outperform their peers on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. More importantly, music nurtures the soul, cultivating creativity, emotional health, and deeper self-expression.
Music is a divine gift that mirrors God’s creativity and invites students to co-create, allowing them to discover His beauty and truth within themselves.
In 2006, the College Board reported that students in music performance scored 57 points higher on verbal and 43 points higher on math SATs. Recent studies have revealed that skills like pattern recognition, critical thinking, and focus are directly enhanced by music. As a result, students receiving musical training have higher executive functioning, language, and memory skills. Auditory neuroscientist Dr. Nina Kraus published evidence that our brains become fully engaged when we are listening to and/or producing music. Rhythm and harmonics light up the mind like nothing else. Through the discipline of training, practicing, repetition, and refining performances, students gain a deeper understanding of resilience and success. Consequently, these invaluable skills can inspire excellence in all areas of their lives.
Likewise, music has been shown to be a catalyst for personal growth and identity, especially in the adolescent years. The American Psychological Association cites research on how music involvement can reduce anxiety and promote social belonging in children of all ages, but most profoundly in the middle school years. Music performance within an ensemble can give students a place to belong where they feel safe, recognized, and valued. Within these groups, individuals can develop an aptitude for patience, perseverance, and improved mental health. This framework allows for each individual to experience the importance of leading and following, ultimately creating something bigger than themselves.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with the timbrel and dancing, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with the resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:3-6
Most importantly, exposure to music education is formative. It enhances all aspects of the student experience. Through God’s gift of music, we have a beautiful opportunity to impart His unconditional love, reveal the steadfast truth that we are His creation, and inspire our young people to grow and strive for excellence in their spiritual lives and academic endeavors. Through musical worship, we give sound to the voice of our soul in praise to the one who made us.
References:
- American Psychological Association – Music and emotional development: APA Article
- College Board data: National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
- Kraus, N. (Northwestern): Auditory Neuroscience Lab
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