Twelve Benefits of Music Education

Carolyn Phillips thoroughly explains how music education is vital for an individual. Having an understanding of music benefits a person greatly where they will be able to create with their minds and come up with innovative ideas. Ms. Phillips proves her point in several ways in her book, Twelve Benefits of Music Education. She first says that early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. This involves taking a musical course in elementary school where kids learn the basics of music, such as reading notes and learning the g clef and bass clef symbols. Then Ms. Phillips says that there is a connection between music and spatial intelligence, meaning the ability to perceive the world accurately and to form mental pictures of things. This kind of intelligence helps to solve math problems and develop better organization skills. In recent studies, students who study the arts have been more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT. They also achieved higher grades in high school. In addition, students of music learn craftsmanship. They develop a new set of skills which they can hopefully bring to the world and become successful. Carolyn Phillips states that music study enhances teamwork skills and discipline. Therefore, when these young children finally go off in the work force, they will be able to get along with their colleagues, thus developing friendships with others. Most importantly, Ms. Phillips explains that music study develops skills that are necessary in the workplace. It focuses on “doing” as opposed to observing. Employers are looking for multi-dimensional workers with the qualities that music education helps to create. Employers want to hire people who can communicate well with others and can come up with innovative ideas. Music education is the key in developing these qualities and without it; we are two-dimensional characters on this world. We will be living as ghosts; just going through the motions and not living life.