Music

Experiences in the arts play a valuable role in the education of all students. Through participation in music, students can develop their creativity, learn about their own identity, and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of well-being. Since musical activities involve intense engagement, students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through music, which can motivate them to participate more fully in cultural life and in other educational opportunities.

The arts nourish the imagination and develop a sense of beauty, while providing unique ways for students to gain insights into the world around them. All of the arts communicate through complex symbols – verbal, visual, and aural – and help students understand aspects of life in a variety of ways. Students gain insights into the human condition through ongoing exposure to musical works of art – for example, they can imagine what it would be like to be in the same situation as a character in an opera, or what society was like when a symphony was composed. They identify common values, both aesthetic and human, in various musical selections and, in doing so, increase their understanding of others and learn that music can have a civilizing influence on society. In producing their own works, students communicate their insights while developing musical skills and aesthetic judgement.