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June 28, 2005

Editorial: Return of instrumental music is good for New Brunswick

An editorial in th Home News Tribune points to the good news for New Brunswick. After a 20 year absence instrumental music will start in September.

The reintroduction of instrumental music instruction in the New Brunswick school system is a step that can provide rewards for many students who will pass through city classrooms in the years to come.

The district hasn't offered such instruction in more than 20 years, but lessons will begin in September in instruments used in bands and orchestras - from the trumpet to the glockenspiel. And the administrators and educators hope that some of the hundreds of students who will take these lessons will end up in a broader arts program at the new high school expected to open in 2008.

Although no one has proved exactly how the study of music helps a child do well in academic subjects, there have been many objective studies that have shown that there is a correlation. Among other things, it seems clear that high school students who study music will do better on the SAT and similar standardized tests than will those who have not had music instruction. Other studies have shown that students exposed to music demonstrate improved ability to see the patterns in objects or numbers and improved facility with mathematics in general. Common sense also suggests that the broadening experience of both learning and playing music will cultivate skills, imagination and understanding in a young person.

New Brunswick children no less than others need an education with depth and breath, and music is an important part of that. Good for the school system for taking this step.

Home News Tribune | Return of instrumental music is good for New Brunswick

Posted by musicforall at June 28, 2005 10:23 PM