What Research Tells Us
Self-Awareness
Compared to other students, those with high arts engagement, including music, exhibit higher levels of self-concept in how they value themselves, their abilities, and their achievements. Specifically, active music education experiences seem to be correlated with measures of self-efficacy.
Self-Management
Success in music depends on exercising perseverance, as evidenced by the ability to self-monitor one's progress and delay gratification in the pursuit of mastery. Regular and sustained practice leads to increased abilities in performance skills and self-evaluation. These become impetus for further practice.
Social Awareness
Cooperative music-making experiences which occur in group settings can positively impact participating students' proclivity for empathetic thinking and behavior.
Relationship Skills
Music classes incorporate community-advancing activities which provide students with "opportunities to express themselves, interact in novel ways, and work collectively, practicing and developing interpersonal skills such as collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution."
