Why Choose Music?
When asking, “Why should I (or my student) take a music class?” please consider the following.
- First, music is such an important part of our lives. Whether it is on the radio, in the background of a film or TV show, at a concert, or an activity you participate in, music is always there. It is important for us all to understand the role music plays in our lives, and how we interact with it. The many music offerings at Shelbyville Schools help those students who wish to make music an even bigger part.
- Beyond that, music can enhance other aspects of our students' lives. Music provides pathways to many interdisciplinary studies, such as history, language, and mathematics. It is often the primary way in which diversity and multiculturalism can be taught. And it provides students with more opportunities for self-discovery and self-expression. Music lessons incorporate numerous skills (like most curricular subjects) outside of simply “music” skills, such as language and mathematics. Also, social sciences such as geography and history are often integrated into music curriculum.
- Using the common-thread of music, students can see the similarities between their own cultures and those of others. It often falls to the teachers of the arts to ensure students are exposed to the customs and cultures of diverse populations from around the world, in order to gain a better understanding of the world-at-large.
- Young people, particularly teenaged adolescents, need opportunities to explore their developing personalities and constructively communicate the myriad of new emotions rushing through their minds.
At Shelbyville, the Music Department strives to fulfill the lives of its students by providing them with a quality music education that meets the demands of today’s students. Please keep these points in mind when considering if music is the right fit.
Here is why some of Shelbyville's Choir Students think you should join our program!
For More Information on Music in Schools, please visit these links:
- www.nafme.org
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME), among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.
- www.ilmea.org
- The Illinois Music Education Association exists to advocate for universal access to comprehensive music education; deliver exemplary professional development for educators; and provide outstanding musical experiences for all Illinois learners facilitated by licensed music educators. With more than 3,500 members, we are one of the largest of the 52 affiliates of NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, over 75,000 members strong. ILMEA is, by far, the largest Fine Arts education organization in Illinois and among the largest in the nation.
- https://www.chorusamerica.org/
- Chorus America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. We support and serve choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with tools, training, peer networking, and access so that choruses are better able to contribute to their communities.
- http://www.musicforall.org/who-we-are/advocacy/download-slideshow
- A slideshow that includes data on how participating in school music positively impacts students. It outlines life skills taught in music programs, as well as academic areas that often receive a boost from music participation. In addition, it gives some statistics on the number of students this national organization can service each year.
- http://www.artsdel.org/ArtsEducation/MakingaCaseforArts.pdf
- This brochure outlines the points made in the Arts Education Partnership’s publication Third Space: When Learning Matters. The book is a case study of 10 at-risk schools that used arts programs to revitalize their learning environment. The brochure cites many of the highlights these schools discovered about how arts improves the education experience. Not only does it report how the teachers and students reacted, but also how the arts programs enhanced the schools’ communities.