Benefits

Music is an important and powerful part of our universe, our culture and society — no matter what our ethnic group. It is a biological as well as an aesthetic part of human life. More . . .

Talent

The vast majority of people can learn to perform at a satisfying level. We don't have to become a concert artist to enjoy performing or to gain lasting benefits from music study. More . . .

Realistic expectations

Performance skill takes time to develop so discipline and patience is required by parent and child. For some children, it can be a challenge to maintain interest during the length of time it usually takes to develop performance skill to their own satisfaction. "Practising" involves step-by-step development, repetitions, concentration, correction of mistakes, stretching our current capabilities — these are not always "comfort zones" and children often resist or get discouraged. Continual encouragement is important through appreciating the small steps along the way.

Potential accomplishments

Music is one of the few human activities in which a child can reach skill levels of an adult. There are thousands of youngsters whose performances you could not distinguish from an adult. As indicated earlier, even moderate potential can be satisfying to both performer and listener.

When to start

One can start instruction at any age. Generally, it is easier and faster to learn as a young child before age 10. There are programs where a child can start music study as early as age three and younger.While it is never too late to begin and there are a few international artists who started music study as teenagers, the vast majority of professional performers began at a young age.

Costs and commitments

Costs are a consideration in music study outside of school programs. Costs include lessons and classes, sheet music purchase, instrument purchase or rental, and maintenance.

Commitment is another consideration. Music study requires regular practice and discipline. Without regular practice, the student will be discouraged with the results. There are also additional demands on family life as practising, driving to lessons, attending recitals and concerts need to be fitted into an already hectic schedule.

What it isn't

Music learning is difficult to view as a "product". It is more than just pieces learned or examination grades achieved. Music learning is a "process" and an experience with the success of music study evaluated within the context of each child.

Trends and challenges - political, social, economic, technological.

While music has been considered a "core subject" in education for hundreds of years, there is a major trend today of school boards dismantling and disabling music programs at an alarming rate around North America. These eliminations are made in the name of cost savings with music study labelled as an unnecessary "frill" contrary to so much compelling evidence of the benefits of musical study to personal growth and development in addition to academic success.

Our communities face challenges at other levels. Concert halls are expensive to build and maintain. Orchestras, opera organizations and other performing groups require vigorous and sophisticated fund raising.

Classical music is considered by some to be "elitist". Yet classical music can be appreciated by all ages and every type of person. These elitist arguments are sometimes used to undermine public support for music organizations and projects.

Misleading stereotypes of starving artists and drug cultures have influenced many parents to discourage their children from studying music or choosing it as a career. Yet music is an enormous industry which provides employment for millions of people and is a significant segment of our economy.

Technology — MIDI, synthesizers, digital files such as MP3 — has opened a new world of opportunity and challenge. Synthesizers which can simulate acoustic instruments and recordings which can reproduce performances with outstanding sound quality in some cases have reduced employment opportunities for professional musicians.

Updated August 7, 2000
© 2000 Norman Burgess