Unfortunately, some people do not think of music studies as a valid subject to study in high schools. However, educators have seen the great difference studying music has made in the minds and lives of their students, according to the book, "Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents." The skills students learn in high school music programs, help prepare them for college, as well.
Some studies determine that children who study music have better grades. According to Robert A. Cutietta and Harvey Mercadoocasio, authors of "Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents," "Students who study music in high school, as a group, have higher SAT scores than those not in band."
While one can't specifically draw the conclusion that studying music immediately leads to higher grades, it does, however, point to skills gained while studying music that can lead to academic success. Cutietta and Mercadoocasio add, "It takes self-discipline, social skills, concentration and perseverance to perform in a high school band, orchestra, or choir. Those same traits would probably also result in better grades."
Whether listening to music or performing it, music may bring joy into everyone's lives. Performing as a musician amplifies this joy, while developing self-confidence. According to Cutietta and Mercadoocasio, "Being involved with music in a meaningful (and knowledgeable) way will add greatly to the quality of your child's life. If it increases brain power along the way, great, but that alone is not a good enough reason to study it."
Studying music as a high school student allows teenagers to develop many healthy and productive habits that will carry over into their adult lives and careers, giving them a push towards a successful life. In addition to these habits, studying music literally changes the brain in a beneficial way, as well.
A report in Newsweek adds that "the brain seems to be a sponge for music and, like a sponge in water, is changed by it." The report goes into further discussion, detailing how the section of the brain devoted to "planning and foresight" is larger for musicians than those of non-musicians.
These beneficial changes to a musician's brain development give them tools for handling life situations more successfully.
"Although kids who receive music training often improve somewhat across the board due to the 'good mood' and attention effects," according to Newsweek, it quotes psychologist Martin Gardiner of Brown University as stating that "they just shoot ahead in math. This can't be explained by social effects or attention alone. There is something specific about music and math."