Did you catch this article in the New York Times? “Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits.” It came out on Sept. 10.
The sentence that caught my attention was this: “... a study last month is the first to show that music lessons in childhood may lead to changes in the brain that persist years after the lessons stop.”
Before I go on here comes the pitch. Please support the Redway School music program with a donation so that we can continue our music program. This will be our 13th year of music completely supported by donations and grants. Donations can be sent to: The Schools’ Foundation, Redway School Music Program, P.O. Box 650, Miranda, CA 95553.
The article goes on to say that there are connections between musical training in childhood and “language-based learning - for instance reading.” The article then explains the details of how this all works. I encourage you to look up the article. Let me know if you need help locating it.
I found it very interesting that scientists looking at recordings of a brain’s electrical detection of sounds, not just musical, can tell if the subject had musical training or not. Those who were musically trained produced different and stronger responses.
The article ends with a warning for music teachers and parents alike. “Children should enjoy themselves, and their lessons. Parents need to care about music, not slot it in as a therapeutic tool.”
Hal Lepoff
Music teacher at Redway Elementary School
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