Access to music education has been linked to improvements in academic performance across multiple subjects, according to recent research and expert observations. Despite the growing emphasis on STEM fields in education, supporters argue that music should remain a key component of school curricula due to its positive effects on intellectual development.
A report from the Arts Education Data Project highlights that approximately 2.1 million students in the United States lack access to any form of arts education, including music, dance, theater, and visual arts. This decline in availability has raised concerns among educators and advocates who emphasize the broader benefits music education can provide.
The Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB) points out that playing a musical instrument can enhance mathematical skills. Students engaged in music education reportedly perform better in algebra, a subject fundamental to higher-level math studies in high school and college. Supporting this, a study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who play instruments and participate in school bands or orchestras tend to be about one academic year ahead of their peers in various subjects, including mathematics.
Music education also appears to improve reading and language skills. The CMCB notes that learning music helps students develop abilities such as reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary acquisition, and error correction. Neuroscientific research cited by Edutopia, an educational initiative of the George Lucas Educational Foundation, suggests that the processes involved in playing or singing music closely mirror those used in reading. Overcoming challenges in music education can, therefore, correspond to improved performance in reading and language arts.
Beyond subject-specific gains, music education promotes the development of effective study habits. Mastering an instrument requires significant dedication and practice, which can encourage students to apply similar discipline to their broader academic work. This recognition of the importance of consistent effort and time investment may help students build habits essential for success in other areas of learning.
Although millions of students currently experience limited access to music education, experts argue that reinstating these programs could provide valuable academic and personal benefits. Advocates encourage schools to consider the multifaceted advantages music education offers in supporting student achievement and overall educational development.