Music For SchoolsWhy Music?Music requires research. It is specific and demands exact acoustics. For instance, a conductor's full score is a chart or graph, indicating frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with exact control of time. Music requires research. It is specific and demands exact acoustics. For instance, a conductor's full score is a chart or graph, indicating frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with exact control of time. Music is a ScienceIt is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions, which must be done instantaneously. Music is MathematicalIt is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions, which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper. Music is a Foreign LanguageThe semantics of music is the most complete and universal language. Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French. The language of music also incorporates notations, which represent a highly developed form of shorthand, using symbols to represent ideas. Music is HistoryMusic often reflects the environment and times of its creation. From music, children learn lessons about historical events, as well as the ethnic and cultural heritage reflected in the piece. Music is Physical EducationIt requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheek, and facial muscles. Children who play music also show extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach, and chest muscles, which respond instantly to sounds heard by the ear and interpreted by the mind Music is ArtIt develops insight and creates emotion. Through music, children learn to share their humanism, express thoughts and feelings, and contribute to the infinite and collective spirit we call “life.” * Resources provided by the Music Achievement Council |