Read a 19th-century novel, and it seems ordinary folks are draped around the drawing room listening to an accomplished young woman's dazzling pianoplaying.
Studies indicate that exposure to classical music can be more than a social asset.
In fact, a battle has been brewing in recent years over what cognitive benefits can be reaped by babies who listen to Bach and Mozart or children who play violin while still in the nursery. Let the debate rage on, says Dr. Ronald Vernon, professor of music and associate dean of the liberal arts at The University of Mississippi. The point is music gives children another positive way to express themselves. And, like reading, becoming fluent in music gives children a way to communicate with others, relieve stress and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Vernon, whose two adult children play violin and cello, practiced what he preaches.