Benefits of Music Education | Merit School of Music (2024)

Do you know what after-school activity benefits kids and teens the most? Studying music, of course!

Everyone knows making music is fun, but music education also provides a myriad of benefits to your brain, physical and mental health, and general well-being.

In fact, the impact of learning to sing or play an instrument on a child or teen’s development is more than twice that of sports, theater, or dance.

So, whether your child is picking up a guitar for the first time or spending years honing their flute skills, you can rest assured it will be more than just music to your ears. It’s an investment in their future!

The process of learning and playing an instrument increases brain power and functionality, resulting in a boosted IQ and improved concentration.

Music accelerates brain development for babies and kids, enhancing fine and gross motor skills, executive function, and sensory development.

In the longer term, music keeps your mind sharp, reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Read On: How Music Makes You Smarter →

Children and teens who study music perform better in school.

They get higher grades, have improved literacy, and are 24% more likely to graduate. In fact, students highly engaged in music are, on average, academically over one year ahead of their peers!

Positive attributes learned through music–making, such as confidence, independence, perseverance, leadership, and personal responsibility, prepare you for life-long success.

Music students also develop enhanced spatial-temporal skills, priming them for STEM careers requiring advanced problem-solving skills. On average, 66% of music majors who apply to medical school are accepted (the highest of any undergraduate group), and at Merit 35% of Conservatory graduates go on to careers in the STEM field!

Does listening to music make you happy? Imagine how much creating it can impact your mind!

Studying music nurtures creativity, builds empathy, and helps people better express their emotions and manage anxiety.

Making music is also good for your body. You might not realize it, but when playing an instrument you’re often using your arm, core, and back muscles.

In addition, the deep breathing that voice, wind, and brass instruments require builds stronger lungs and, as a natural stress reliever, music is good for our blood pressure and heart rate.

Making music brings us together. When making music with others, such as in a group class, chamber group, or ensemble, you’re introduced to new experiences and points of view.

At a community music school like Merit, which engages students from all backgrounds and corners of Chicagoland, music connects different cultures and promotes equity, inclusion, and belonging.

In addition, research shows that music students are more active in their school community and exhibit enhanced relationship-building and teamwork skills.