English Speaking and Listening - Importance of Music

Will be talking about the importance of music, learning an instrument, performance etc.

How music develops one's confidence, motivation, organisational skills, making them grow as a person. Furthermore, I will be explaining the positive impacts music has on the brain and academic studies.

I play the clarinet, tenor saxophone and sing as well, so will be able to give first hand evidence of the positive effects of music.

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You may be thinking how I was introduced to music.

Year 3 in primary school, musical workshop, tested out instruments.

INSPIRATIONS- Influenced by music teachers and seeing older peers perform and achieve high grades in their instruments.

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Music helps with organisation.

Especially if your working towards a grade, you must be driven, disciplined, motivated and determined to practice everyday if possible, even if you are tired from a day at school.

These skills can then be used during exam season - structuring your time effectively for revision.

Also, it is excellent evidence on your CV.

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Achieving grades, playing in an ensemble and performing amongst peers, gives you confidence in yourself. It enables you to appreciate yourself much more - pride.

This can help you in social situations and can support your mental health - provention from anxiety/depression - will go into more detail about this later.

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Travelled internationally - played in Italy and Belgium with Devon Youth Wind Orchestra. Played at the Menin Gate (in the Last Post Ceremony), which was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Performed at county level (Devon County Show).

Week with Royal Marine Band - gave insight into the service.

Worked with primary school children to inspire them to start playing an instrument.

DYWO has given me many opportunities - making new friends, working in a team, improving my skills as a musician.

Music should be accessible to all.

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Teaching (Peripatetic or curriculum-based)

Composing

Performing

Previously mentioned working in the services.

These are just a few examples of where music can take you as a career.

If wanting it to just be a hobby - skill for life - links to socialise in further education and adult hood.

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Understand it can be expensive.

Instruments can be hired from Devon Music until you decide whether it's right for you.

Devon Music Hire is run by Babcock and with minimum hire periods from just one term, every child in Devon can have the opportunity to find the instrument that suits them best.

Accessible for anyone in Devon up to when they leave mainstream education.

Most instruments are £30 to hire per 4 month term.

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Music can be accessible to all - as previously mentioned, you can hire instruments through school.

Free ensembles in school.

You don't have to choose an expensive instrument - you could sing, for example.

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So why is our government cutting budgets for schools? Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut from shrinking school budgets. ICC is one of the only schools in area that offer music at GCSE, A LEVEL and BTEC levels. When looking at the benefits, this is not acceptable.

Understand the importance of other curriculum-based lessons, but it is clear from evidence that music supports academic acheivement.

Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 72.9% graduation and 84.9% attendance.

Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.

Grades (ABRSM and Trinity) provide UCAS points for over grade 5 - support when considering university.

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For me, music offers an escape from the stresses of school and other worries.

Research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen anxiety and depression.

Evidence suggests that making music enhances the body's immune system that fights off viruses.

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Music therapy - Music can assist people who have had brain injuries, physical trauma or have been born with a disability, to improve their physical and cognitive function. It is also being used extensively with people who are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Musicians also have higher levels of planning, strategizing, attention to detail and problem solving (e.g. maths skills).

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Music is a world-wide language that unites people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and beliefs.

Ensembles and bands are communities of musicians - people who have differences but all share a strong passion for music.

So why should the government decide to cut budgets for music in the curriculum in schools?

Music strengthens brains, and it is proven that reading music improves maths skills and other curriculum-based factors that are a neccessity to gain a positive and sustainable future.

If we keep dropping music from our schools' curriculums, it is likely that we WILL see a clear decline in the grades of your nations' students.

Do you really want to loose the next generations' future?

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