Music contributes to higher learning

Music classes in schools are usually referred to as "extracurricular" classes. However, these classes prove to be anything but "extra."These classes often give indispensable benefits to students. Performance programs enhance a student's sense of self esteem as well as their social skills. Not only do students profit socially from music programs, but they also gain academically.
        Several studies have shown that music enhances learning through increased spatial development. Math and reading are improved by learning rhythms and decoding notes and symbols which means there is cross disciplinary learning in music.
        Most teachers are often against a music pullout program (students are taken out of class to receive music instruction once or twice a week) because they fear "lost instruction" time.
        Researchers in Hamilton, Ohio, documented that students participating in a string pullout program scored higher on the reading, mathematics and citizenship portions of the Ohio Proficiency Test (OPT), than their non-music peers.  68% of string students scored at grade level or higher on all four sections of the test compared to 58% of the non-music students.
       Music is not only a gateway to personal freedom, but is also a contributor to academic success.  

art imitates life

           Music doesn't always occur spontaneously (well maybe they do) which is why musicians grab inspiration from events that have occured during their lifetime. Whether they are large scale themes, or simple tales from their childhood, music always takes a life of its own when it comes to certain events.
          In 1971, Marvin Gaye released his critically acclaimed album, What's Going On, which is a concept album by Gaye. The concept is a story told from the point of view of a Vietnam War veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing nothing but injustice, suffering and hatred. The obvious inspiration that Gaye drew from were Vietnam veterans who had fought for their country to return things even worse than death, a country that was suffering. Many veterans who had returned home were denied benefits, compensation, and recognition for their efforts in serving their country.
         In 1989, Billy Joel released We didn't start the fire, a song that made reference to a catalogue of events that occured earlier in his life. The song's message is that his generation, the baby-boomer generation, is being blamed for all the tragedies and major events that shaped the latter half of the 20th century.
         In 1994, Nas released his critically acclaimed debut album Illmatic, which deals with tales from Queensbridge,New York of post-Reagonomics and the happening of cocaine being a major affect to cities all across America. Nas put in context how life was as a teenager in his environment, providing America one of the most extensive tours of the "Rotten Apple",as he put it,  ever in the world of entertainment.
        Musicians take their blank canvas and turn it into a musical masterpiece once they draw inspiration from life and every detail or honorable mention. Music and Life go hand in hand with each other all the time. Without Music there is no life, without life there is no music.