Musical education should not be removed from public schools.

It appears that my opponent has never actually participated in a music class beyond possibly middle school. He also fails to recognize that MOST musical education classes are NOT mandatory. My opponent suggests that musical education is based mostly on skill, and that effort comes second in the level of success a student achieves, however, that statement can be applied to any course one is required (or may choose) to take at a high school level. He also believes that musical education (such as band or choir for a few examples) offer no real educational value. "Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2 percent graduation rate and 93.9 percent attendance rate compared to schools without music education who average 72.9 percent graduation and 84.9 percent attendance." (11 Facts About Music Education). Studies show that early musical education offered to developing children helps them to learn better, become more confident, and apply themselves more both socially and academically. Students that participate in music courses learn discipline, responsibility, and tolerance. They are less likely to become involved in the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use. Pupils who take music lessons in school are also shown to learn to speak languages other than their primary quicker and better (1). Students that participate in music courses score an average of 63 points higher on the verbal section of the SAT and 44 points higher in the mathematics section. Contrary to what my opponent has been saying, music students can improve themselves despite their initial skill level through discipline. Greatness does not happen simply by being born with it; it must be constantly worked towards. Students excel in music by practicing both in and out of class, studying their work - just like any other course, and working hard. This develops the students' persistence and disciplinary skills. Not only does learning music boost the student's confidence, it helps them interact with other musicians and students and meet new people, improving their social skills. (2) Participating in music courses in school contributes to the student's chances of getting into colleges by showing that they are well-rounded individuals who are able to cooperate with others on a team, as well as showing that they have "school spirit" to some degree (3). Participating in courses pertaining to the arts not only plays a part in a student's admission into college, it helps them grow as an individual (4). This article suggests that participating in extra curricular, such as music, "enriches your life AND your college application" (5). A well-developed person with good social qualities and high academic scores is exactly what colleges look for, and even if the student does not plan on going into a career that directly involves the student's musical activity in high school, it helps them become a balanced adult. Musical education not only helps students grow and develop during their junior high and high school years, but can play a huge part of their early development. On a basic level, music does not make you smarter. Music expands your abilities to learn in other areas. ""When you look at children ages two to nine, one of the breakthroughs in that area is music"s benefit for language development, which is so important at that stage," says Luehrisen. While children come into the world ready to decode sounds and words, music education helps enhance those natural abilities. " (PBS, 2013). There is data which shows slight increases in the IQs of six-year-old children that have been exposed to music. Musical education can help a wide variety of people in varying ages with varying interests and should not be overlooked. It also aids in visualizing different elements together, helping children to do better in mathematics. Music makes the brain work harder because the mind of a musician works differently than that of a student that has no musical experience. "There"s some good neuroscience research that children involved in music have larger growth of neural activity than people not in music training. When you"re a musician and you"re playing an instrument, you have to be using more of your brain." (Rasmussen). I am forced to end my argument here for lack of space, but my point is clear. Students that are exposed to learning through music are changed in every aspect - behavior, concentration, awareness, listening skills, memory, etc. Cutting musical education with make the system regress as a whole. 1. http://www.dosomething.org...# 2. http://www.dlpmusicoutreach.com... 3. http://everydaylife.globalpost.com... 4. http://www.studypoint.com... 5. http://businessmajors.about.com... 6. http://www.pbs.org...