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The pace of scientific research into music making has never been
greater. New data about music’s relationship to brainpower,
wellness and other phenomena is changing the way we perceive mankind’s
oldest art form, and it’s having a real-world effect on decisions
about educational priorities.
The briefs below provide a glimpse into these exciting developments.
For a more in-depth treatment of current music science, visit our
affiliate, The International Foundation for Music Research.
Did You Know?
Middle school and high school students who participated in instrumental
music scored significantly higher than their non-band peers in standardized
tests. University studies conducted in Georgia and Texas found significant
correlations between the number of years of instrumental music instruction
and academic achievement in math, science and language arts.
Source: University of Sarasota Study, Jeffrey Lynn Kluball;
East Texas State University Study, Daryl Erick Trent
Did You Know?
Students who were exposed to the music-based lessons scored a full
100 percent higher on fractions tests than those who learned in
the conventional manner. Second-grade and third-grade students were
taught fractions in an untraditional manner ‹ by teaching them
basic music rhythm notation. The group was taught about the relationships
between eighth, quarter, half and whole notes. Their peers received
traditional fraction instruction.
Source: Neurological Research, March 15, 1999
Did You Know?
Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted
to medical school. Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied
the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found
that 66 percent of music majors who applied to med school were admitted,
the highest percentage of any group. For comparison, (44 percent)
of biochemistry majors were admitted. Also, a study of 7,500 university
students revealed that music majors scored the highest reading scores
among all majors including English, biology, chemistry and math.
Sources: “The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students
in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-focus University,”
Peter H. Wood, ERIC Document No. ED327480
“The Case for Music in the Schools,” Phi Delta Kappan,
February, 1994
Did You Know?
Music study can help kids understand advanced music concepts. A
grasp of proportional math and fractions is a prerequisite to math
at higher levels, and children who do not master these areas cannot
understand more advanced math critical to high-tech fields. Music
involves ratios, fractions, proportions and thinking in space and
time. Second-grade students were given four months of piano keyboard
training, as well as time using newly designed math software. The
group scored over 27 percent higher on proportional math and fractions
tests than children who used only the math software.
Source: Neurological Research March, 1999
Did You Know?
Research shows that piano students are better equipped to comprehend
mathematical and scientific concepts. A group of preschoolers received
private piano keyboard lessons and singing lessons. A second group
received private computer lessons. Those children who received piano/keyboard
training performed 34 percent higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal
ability than the others ‹ even those who received computer
training. “Spatial-temporal” is basically proportional
reasoning – ratios, fractions, proportions and thinking in
space and time. This concept has long been considered a major obstacle
in the teaching of elementary math and science.
Source: Neurological Research February 28, 1997
Did You Know?
Young children with developed rhythm skills perform better academically
in early school years. Findings of a recent study showed that there
was a significant difference in the academic achievement levels
of students classified according to rhythmic competency. Students
who were achieving at academic expectation scored high on all rhythmic
tasks, while many of those who scored lower on the rhythmic test
achieved below academic expectation.
Source: “The Relationship between Rhythmic Competency and Academic
Performance in First Grade Children,” University of Central
Florida, Debby MitchellDid You Know?
High school music students score higher on SATs in both verbal and
math than their peers. In 2001, SAT takers with coursework/experience
in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal portion
of the test and 41 points higher on the math portion than students
with no coursework/experience in the arts.
Source: Profile of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College
Board, compiled by Music Educators National Conference, 2001.
Did You Know?
College-age musicians are emotionally healthier than their non-musician
counterparts. A study conducted at the University of Texas looked
at 362 students who were in their first semester of college. They
were given three tests, measuring performance anxiety, emotional
concerns and alcohol related problems. In addition to having fewer
battles with the bottle, researchers also noted that the college-aged
music students seemed to have surer footing when facing tests.
Source: Houston Chronicle, January 11, 1998
Did You Know?
A ten-year study, tracking more than 25,000 students, shows that
music-making improves test scores. Regardless of socioeconomic background,
music-making students get higher marks in standardized tests than
those who had no music involvement. The test scores studied were
not only standardized tests, such as the SAT, but also in reading
proficiency exams.
Source: Dr. James Catterall, UCLA, 1997
Did You Know?
The world's top academic countries place a high value on music
education. Hungary, Netherlands and Japan stand atop worldwide science
achievement and have strong commitment to music education. All three
countries have required music training at the elementary and middle
school levels, both instrumental and vocal, for several decades.
The centrality of music education to learning in the top-ranked
countries seems to contradict the United States' focus on math,
science, vocabulary, and technology.
Source: 1988 International Association for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement (IAEEA) Test
Did You Know?
Music training helps under-achievers. In Rhode Island, researchers
studied eight public school first grade classes. Half of the classes
became “test arts” groups, receiving ongoing music and
visual arts training. In kindergarten, this group had lagged behind
in scholastic performance. After seven months, the students were
given a standardized test. The “test arts” group had caught
up to their fellow students in reading and surpassed their classmates
in math by 22 percent. In the second year of the project, the arts
students widened this margin even further. Students were also evaluated
on attitude and behavior. Classroom teachers noted improvement in
these areas also.
Source: Nature May 23, 1996
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