Pros & Cons of Music in Schools

Music in schools often has a very limited budget and is often seen as an easy cut to make when cutting costs. Since music is considered an extra for many schools, the budget for a music program is lower than for other programs within the school. This limits teachers in their ability to provide students with the best education because they do not always have the funding available for the students' needs.

Children who are involved in music from a younger age tend to have better development of the language areas of the brain. Caroline Phillips of Children’s Music Workshop states that songs help young minds imprint language information in the brain, resulting in further development of the brain when compared to children who are not involved in music.

Music provides students with a better understanding of the world around them. When student learn music, they have the opportunity to learn about different cultures. Teachers can use this understanding through music to create empathy of other groups and help the students respect cultures from around the world at a younger age.

Music programs result in better grades in school. Because music requires students to think creatively and solve problems to play the music, the thinking patterns spill over into other school subjects, resulting in better understanding and grades. Caroline Phillips states that students who are involved in music get higher SAT scores when compared to students who are not and have better spatial intelligence skills. This leads to better grades as students are able to work out complex mathematical equations and keep track of tasks.