Music does NOT make you smarter!
At least there's no research to support that yet.
Kindermusik, a very popular early childhood music program (They can stamp out programs—and "certified" teachers—like McDonald's does burgers.), asks potential teachers if they believe that "music is a key to all kinds of learning."
All?
Do they really think that Mozart was socially intelligent? or that musicians are all good at math? or that was an eloquent speaker? or, conversely, that Einstein or Hawking would have to be good musicians? As if music causes one to have other kinds of intelligence? Forgive the rant, but they've got to get with the current research on neuroscience and cognitive psychology! Really. It's bothers me that they, and many others—so-called leaders in music education—perpetuate a [potential] myth: that music will somehow enhance children's cognitive abilities.
In my experience, there are several children in every school who have exceptional music talent, and yet have very low achievement in all, or almost all, of the traditional school subjects. Does that not ring true to anyone? And so, because these children do not succeed in math, or reading, they are systematically denied the opportunity to participate in the one thing in which they would have success.
It's saddening.
Comments
In the meantime, can I ask:
Do you agree with Kindermusik that music is key to all kinds of learning?
And comment specifically on this, if you would?
"In my experience, there are several children in every school who have exceptional music talent, and yet have very low achievement in all, or almost all, of the traditional school subjects. Does that not ring true to anyone? And so, because these children do not succeed in math, or reading, they are systematically denied the opportunity to participate in the one thing in which they would have success"
No, I have to agree with you that music is not the key to all kinds of learning. I do think music can be a path to unlock other kinds of learning, however.
How do you mean that students who have low achievement in academic subjects are systematically denied the opportunity to participate in music?
In my school, and my experience at my former schools, all students regardless of academic ability participated in music class. Students are not pulled from my class to do remediation for the core subjects.