THE ISSUE
Learning to play an instrument can have a significant impact on human development. From improving social and academic skills to building confidence, nurturing creativity and relieving stress, the benefits of making music are limitless.
Learning to play an instrument can have a significant impact on human development. From improving social and academic skills to building confidence, nurturing creativity and relieving stress, the benefits of making music are limitless.
Learning
Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all other studies, have enhanced critical thinking skills and pursue higher education.
Success
Quality music education has been linked to motivation, self-confidence, the development of self-control, planning, problem solving, focus and verbal intelligence.
Health & Well-being
Research has shown that blood flows more easily when music is played. It can also decrease stress, pain and anxiety, reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and elevate mood.
Teamwork
Practicing music enhances creativity, and requires and reinforces collaboration, cooperation and clear communication.
Building Relationships
Participating in band and orchestra enables students to meet new friends and forge strong social bonds that foster belonging.
Unity
Music is profoundly and universally human, and it has the power to cut through our differences and inspire a more unified society.
Learning
Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all other studies, have enhanced critical thinking skills and pursue higher education.
Success
Quality music education has been linked to motivation, self-confidence, the development of self-control, planning, problem solving, focus and verbal intelligence.
Health & Well-being
Research has shown that blood flows more easily when music is played. It can also decrease stress, pain and anxiety, reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and elevate mood.
Teamwork
Practicing music enhances creativity, and requires and reinforces collaboration, cooperation and clear communication.
Building Relationships
Participating in band and orchestra enables students to meet new friends and forge strong social bonds that foster belonging.
Unity
Music is profoundly and universally human, and it has the power to cut through our differences and inspire a more unified society.
Despite its wide-ranging and immeasurable benefits, music education and student participation have decreased dramatically, and music education is routinely undervalued.
In fact, the losses are disproportionate to those in any other academic subject. As schools across the nation struggle with rising costs and shrinking budgets, cutting funding for music education has been a go-to practice for years—a trend that has only intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic.
%
Decline in student participation in music programs
%
Decline in the number of music teachers
Students are in schools where music education is neglected
Despite its wide-ranging and immeasurable benefits, music education and student participation have decreased dramatically, and music education is routinely undervalued.
In fact, the losses are disproportionate to those in any other academic subject. As schools across the nation struggle with rising costs and shrinking budgets, cutting funding for music education has been a go-to practice for years—a trend that has only intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic.
%
Decline in student participation in music programs
%
Decline in the number of music teachers
Students are in schools where music education is neglected
“Music has changed our young people in so many ways. We are an organization that supports adolescents and young adults receiving cancer care treatment. I have seen music help them blossom, open up and express themselves in ways that I am not sure they would have been able to otherwise. In ways I never imagined.”
– GCMF Grantee
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DONATION
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VOLUNTEER
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THE WORD
Connecting and cultivating a diverse community of difference makers amplifies our ability to reach schools and in-need music education programs.