Why Music?

Learning music at school makes a unique contribution to children’s development. It also helps students enjoy going to school each day!

For decades, countless studies have found links between learning music and a broad range of positive impacts on children and adolescents.

Music improves students’ team skills and self-esteem and helps their progress in other important learning areas such as Maths and English. Music learning is good for all students and it is particularly beneficial for students who are not achieving well in school.

Scientific studies are important, but the words of students themselves also provide a powerful testament to the benefits of music education:

‘Music means life to me, whenever I sing I feel so alive.’

‘Without music, life would be boring. No noodling, swinging, hammering, beating, blowing or strumming’

‘I love music so much that I could kiss and hug it!!’

‘I play when I am happy, sad or annoyed and I play my emotions out. It is a kind of non-violent stress relief.’

‘When I came to school I wasn’t very happy and then I played in the concert and I was very happy!’

‘Music has brought us together, not just as a group of musicians, but as a group of friends’

‘At (my school) music isn’t just a subject. It’s a way of life. Music adds richness and variety to school life.’

‘Making music with other people is the greatest feeling ever.’

‘Some of the things the whole orchestra learns from working with other people are that you have to share things and be tolerant, encourage people and learn from mistakes.’

Graeme Ross (Principal of Bellingen Public School) states:
I love music in schools because ...
Music stays inside you for life.
Music moves you like no other.
Music takes you to far away places.