Music is an art form that expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, melody and harmony. People debate a lot about whether music should be a part of the school curriculum or not. This is a controversial issue in education today. In this article, I will tell you a variety of reasons why music should be a mandatory subject in school.

Memory improvement

Firstly, music should be a part of the school curriculum as it helps student become more intellectually developed. Musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. Memorisation can help students in education and beyond.

This type of art helps stimulate brain cells. Musical activity serves as a cognitive exercise for the brain as it trains it to remember a new language altogether. Giving your brain a cognitive workout helps strengthen your memorisation skills.

People who have musical intelligence are good at thinking in patterns, rhythms and sounds. They are able to understand patterns more easily and process information quickly. Such students categorise information easily, which is an influential asset in studying. People who play musical instruments also tend to have good eye-hand coordination

Develops discipline, patience and confidence

Music improves the characteristics of a child. Learning music teaches children to work towards goals, develop a routine and practice self-discipline. Mastering a new piece of music leads to a sense of achievement.

If you ever see a band playing, the one thing you notice is how patient each member is. Band members must always wait for the signal from the person in charge before they play, or else there will be no harmony in the song. This is the same when children play with others in a group; they learn the virtues of patience. They learn how to work with others and follow along at the same pace.

Playing an instrument teaches kids to persevere through months and years of practice before they reach their music-related goals.

Music helps pupils build their confidence. When a child realises they can develop a skill on their own, it gives them self-belief that they require. As time goes by, they will become better, and more confident of their abilities.

Mental health improvement

Music should be implemented in learning institutions as it improves mental health. Music can impact how you feel. It can excite you, makes you happy and relaxed. Music also soothes people’s moods. It helps children regulate their emotions. Music can make people of all ages happy, energetic, and alert.

Whenever people listen to music, the brain releases a hormone called dopamine, which is linked to pleasure and happiness. It is effective for relaxation and stress management. Music also has a role in lifting the mood of people with depression.

Music can inspire creativity too. This may have to do with the joyful mood that music sets. Happiness broadens our mindset and enhances our desire to explore.

Music has a positive impact on education, refines many skills of a child and improves mental well-being. These are the reasons why music should be a mandatory subject in institutions worldwide.

I hope all principals out there make sure their pupils get the music program they deserve.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 17th, 2022