| I support music education because it has played a vital | | | | wonderful connection with other people. |
| role in my life. I had very difficult behavioral challenges | | | | Music education is extremely beneficial for children and |
| as a child. I was defiant. I was expelled from three | | | | adults. If you type "benefits of music education" into a |
| schools and was hospitalized three times because of | | | | search engine you will discover tons of research done |
| mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. I was | | | | on the positive effects music education has on people. |
| diagnosed with depression, obsessive compulsive | | | | The best-known benefits of music education are |
| disorder, and a behavior disorder. | | | | improved SAT scores, literacy, and social skills. |
| At the end of tenth grade, my defiance was at its | | | | One famous study was done by Profiles of SAT and |
| peak and contributed to my third expulsion from school. | | | | Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, 1998. |
| Like a defiant child, I told my parents that I was not | | | | The researchers who conducted this study concluded |
| going back to school unless they found a way for me | | | | that students who participate in music score higher on |
| to play the drums more during the school day. | | | | the SAT. Another popular SAT study showed that |
| Weeks later, my mother discovered the Long Island | | | | students who performed music scored 57 points |
| High School for the Arts. I was accepted and life | | | | higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, |
| changed for me completely. My grades went up, my | | | | than those who were not musical. Students who take |
| behavior improved, and I discovered my mission in life. | | | | music appreciation classes score 63 points higher on |
| This is how I reaped the benefits of music education. I | | | | the verbal and 44 points higher on the math, compared |
| remember my adolescence as a time of life-changing | | | | to students who don't participate in the arts. |
| transformation. Today I am honored to mentor | | | | Although much of the research focuses on children, |
| musically-minded teens on the faculty at the Long | | | | there are many benefits of music education for adults. |
| Island High School for the Arts. | | | | According to a study done by the American Music |
| Now I am a professional drummer and I love my job. I | | | | Conference in1998, retired adults who took keyboard |
| am happy, healthy, and I am in control of my own | | | | classes reported decreased anxiety, decreased |
| behavior. Instead of defiance, I've found positive ways | | | | depression, and decreased loneliness when compared |
| to express myself. Like everyone, I suffer from | | | | to a control group. I believe that music education is just |
| periodic stress. When I sit behind my drums and play, I | | | | as important for adults as it is for children. |
| experience relief, emotional expression, and a | | | | |