The following are excerpts from research data that supports the powerful effects of music on humans and cultures since the beginning of time – music’s effect on our brains, our feelings and emotions, our learning capabilities, and our motivation and ability to achieve. 

Music has been introduced as an instructional tool in learning systems and schools throughout the world and has gained momentum over the past ten years. (Education Alliance Conference 2003)
Highlights of support documentation in this information Binder Re: Music:

• Music helps students retain information. (CaliforniaStateUniversity, Sacramento,CA)

• Music aids students in academic achievement : Music has a positive effect on cognitive academic variables (specific academic subjects, i.e., Reading , Language Arts). With increased music periods, students have made an average gain of one and one   half times the normal rate in math. (California Arts Council)

• Music can modulate chemicals (in the brain) which influence behaviors (i.e., serotonin, noradrenaline and cortisol). (Eric Jensen/How Music Promotes Learning)

• Music boosts perceptual and spatial skills. (Regents of the University of California)

• Music can create and activate “prior knowledge” (or “hooks” in the mind, upon which students can attach new materials, make it easier to digest new information, and aid in recall of information on a given subject.  (Multiple References, see pg. 15)                            

• Music education allows disabled students to achieve significantly . (CaliforniaStateUniversity)

• A growing body of scientific evidence suggests there is a causal link between music andintelligence. (MIND Institute)

• Re: the Neurobiology of music, there is direct evidence that music stimulates specificregions of the brain responsible for memory, motor control, timing and language.   (Society for Neuroscience, Los Angeles, CA)

• Re: the Neurobiology of music, researchers have located specific areas of mental activitylinked to emotional responses to music. (Society for Neuroscience, Los Angeles, CA)

• Music is an important value “in itself ”, providing joy, feeling for aesthetic values and a unique means to explore and to express emotions. ( Eckart Altenmuller/Full Prof., Institute for Music Physiology and Musicians’ MedicineUniversity for Music and Drama, Hanover, Germany)

• Lessons using singing and music engage all areas of the brain and are rememberedeasily.  (“No Child Left Behind” Suggested Programs – Sing, Spell, Read and Write)                                           

• Music can actually serve as the method to teach selected curriculum units ; music is viewed as a multisensoryapproach to enhance learning. (See pg. 21)

• Establishing a sense of rhythm can be used to increase a student’s awareness of rhyming patterns and alliteration in other areas of reading and writing.( Chong & Gan 1997)  Pg. 2 of 4

• Through music, memory skills can be improved, and aural discrimination increased.   ( Chong & Gan 1997)

• Rhythm, melody and harmony stimulate several areas of the brain, suggesting thatmusic could be used to help repair damaged speech to damaged emotions(Jane E. Allen AP Science Writer)

• Music creates an environment that is conducive to learning . (Davies, 2000) pg.22

• The effects of music on the emotions are commonly known. The effects of music on thebrain and thinking are demonstrable .   Research shows (EEG) that music can changebrain waves and make the brain more receptive to learning.   (Davies 2000) pg.22

• “Music is a fantastic tool to promote character  education traits.”  (Character Ed/Music Connection) pg.33-35

• “A creative approach to learning improves performance in the classroom and builds self-esteem in our children.”(National Governors Association/NGA Re: Arts in Education)pg. 36-37

• Music, introduced to students to emphasize listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (in the teaching of reading) resulted in case students surpassing program objectives of achievement. (California Achievement Test scores)  
  
  Solutions to social problems are affected by Music . (Journal of Learning Disabilities)       
  
  Music increases activity of the Immune System and can relieve stress.(Health & Therapies/Perceptual Motor Skills)
  
  From the American Psychological Association Re: Media (pgs. 26-28):

Quote: “When it comes to television, much research has focused on the negative impact it has had on children’s development.   There is a causal connection between negative media and negative behaviors.” APA’s Task Force on Advertising and Children and director of the Center on Children, Families and the Law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, further states:

“Of course, television’s effects can also be positive. Plenty of psychologists have been trying to harness television’s power to help educate children.   Used as educational tools, programs such as “ Sesame Street ”, “Captain Kangaroo” and “Dora the Explorer” have been shown to boost critical thinking skills in children.”