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Music Advocacy Posters
1-page PDF posters. Feel free to download, print, and distribute!
- Musically experienced students scored higher on SATs
- Music students less likely to have substance abuse problems
- Music students score higher on standardized tests
- World's top academic countries value music education
- Classes given arts training show positive effects on tests and behavior
- Effect of arts study on national SAT scores
- Kids taught rhythm improved fraction test scores by 100%
- Band members get better math, science and language grades
- Music making earns 'A's with Americans
- Students who study music have better language skills
- College music majors enjoy greater success in med school admissions
- Intertwining piano lessons and math software results in math test scores over 100% higher
- Music-trained preschoolers outperform in spatial- temporal tests
- Rhythm keeps first graders on the academic beat
Music Advocacy Websites
SupportMusic.com offers a wealth of information and resources to help you build a case for school music in your local area.
The American Music Conference features many resources for advocates as well as a wide range of information about music making for all ages.
Computer Lessons vs. Music Lessons
A group of preschoolers in California were given piano lessons once a week, while other members of their class received computer training, and a third group got no special instruction. The budding pianists scored 34% higher than the other groups on tests designed to measure spatial-temporal reasoning skills - those required for mathematics, chess, science and engineering. The computer kids scored no higher than the group who received no special instruction.
The study was led by psychologist Dr. Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin and physicist Dr. Gordon Shaw of the University of California. "The high proportion of children who evidenced dramatic improvement in spatial-temporal reasoning as a result of music training should be of great interest to scientists and educators," said Dr. Shaw.
This study shows that experiences early in life determine which brain cells (neurons) will connect with other brain cells, and which ones will die away. Because neural connections are responsible for all types of intelligence, a child's brain develops to its full potential only with exposure to the necessary enriching experiences in early childhood. Drs. Rauscher and Shaw emphasize the causal relationship between early music training and the development of the neural circuitry that governs spatial intelligence. Their studies indicate that music training generates the neural connections used for abstract reasoning, including those necessary for understanding mathematical concepts.
Other recent studies that indicate that music making is a key component of academic and social success. Learning to play a musical instrument is a rewarding experience for anyone, but is especially helpful to the development of children. It develops mental skills, builds teamwork and can help your child be more successful in life.
Celebrities speak out on the value of music study
Clips are in .MP3 format. Left-click to listen or right-click to download.
15-second spots
B.B. King
Clint Black
Kenny G
Pinchas Zuckerman
30-second spots
Itzhak Perlman
Garth Brooks
Amy Grant
Sting
Sesame Workshop
60-second spots
Alison Krauss
Faith Hill
Gloria Estefan
Huey Lewis
Indigo Girls
Isaac Hayes
Kenny Rogers
Richard Marx
John Tesh
Travis Tritt
Willie Nelson
Tim McGraw
Carol King
Michael Bolton
Reba McEntire
Shawn Colvin
Vanessa Williams