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Just getting started in music with your child?


Congratulations! You’re a proud new “band or orchestra parent.” Or maybe you’re considering becoming one, having just returned from rental night. You think it’s probably a good idea—you’ve heard about all that research proving “music makes you smarter”—but unless you played in your own school band or orchestra when you were young, you have a lot of questions.

It’s only natural to ask yourself, What am I getting myself into? More important, you’re wondering, What is my child getting into? And naturally, you’re going to ask, What will it cost? How much time will it take? Is it worth the commitment?

To arrive at any answers, let’s step back a moment and ask the one big question:

Why music?

It has been called the international language. Its roots are ancient, interwoven with the fabric of every culture. “If music be the food of love,” wrote Shakespeare, "play on."

Music both entertains and inspires. It has the power to shape our moods, to rally or soothe us. You don’t need to be a musician to appreciate music or its role in our lives. But the opportunity to play music is an extraordinary gift. And the process of learning to play music not only rewards children with the hands-on experience of music itself, but also provides students with a remarkable array of other advantages.

Consider the teamwork, mental discipline and sense of accomplishment that students derive from learning music—they won’t get that from simply hanging out, from passing their time with TV or video games. Music teaches a sense of purpose, with goals and rewards. Along the way, they’ll forge friendships with their fellow band members and enjoy the camaraderie of belonging to a group with a common purpose. And they’ll learn the responsibilities that make each and every student musician a valued member of the band. On top of which, their creativity and self-expression will continually develop with the music itself.

It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But the numbers prove it. In recent years, research on many fronts has shown conclusively that studying music—and the earlier the better—equips students to excel in all other areas of study. The inherent logic of music, coupled with its sequential study, seems to “hardwire” young minds to learn better and faster.

Recent statistics from the College Entrance Examination Board reveal that students with more than four years of music study scored 56 points higher than their peers on the verbal portion of the SAT and 38 points higher on the math portion.

In school district after school district, music students consistently show significantly higher grade-point averages than the general student population.

An analysis by the Pittsburgh School Board revealed that the dropout rate for nonmusicians was 7.4%, but only 1% for students with one or two years of music training. And for those with three or more years, the dropout rate was a remarkable zero.

Colleges have taken note of the importance of music education in preparing students for higher learning. A survey of admissions officers at major American universities shows that 70% look for achievement in the arts when considering entrance applications.

So encouraging your child’s participation in the school band or orchestra has implications that go well beyond “making music.” But your child needn’t know that—he or she can simply enjoy the experience of discovering music and being part of a creative experience that will reap lifelong rewards.

Convinced? Of course.

But you still have questions, right?

Following are several areas of concern that should bring you up to speed quickly, giving you sufficient information to become a proud new band or orchestra parent—with confidence and enthusiasm.

1. Knowing and working with the band director
2. Buying or renting an instrument
3. Helping your child learn
4. Some common misconceptions
5. Checklists, links, and click-to-order documents
6. Glossary of Terms in Instrumental Music
7. Do's and Don'ts of Instrument Care
8. Choosing a Music Store
9. Consider Private Lessons
10. What Else Can I Do?

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