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understanding, and compassion. What
more could one ask for their children
than to be empathetic, compassionate
humans with patience, self-discipline
and a healthy work ethic?
4
It Builds Social Skills
Music programs create a unique and
special community amongst its stu-
dents. The friends your child will make
there might likely be from different
schools and varied backgrounds, but
they will end up being friends for
life (the same often happens for the
parents!). Participating in orchestras,
bands, and choirs all require the musi-
cians to learn their individual parts, but
then work with the rest of the group to
create the final product. They learn to
be on time to a rehearsal, to sit quietly
through a concert, to applaud wildly for
their friends, how to give (and receive)
compliments. Music teaches them how
to listen to and communicate with
one another, and how to discuss (and
disagree with) an idea, all while being
respectful and kind.
5
It Allows Them to Explore Differ-
ent Cultures and New Languages.
From the history and traditions of
African Drumming and Caribbean
Steel Pans to learning about Vivaldi’s
life in Italy or Mozart’s antics in Austria,
music students get a head-start on their
geography and history lessons in a fun
and vivid, hands on way. Even their
musical terminology is in a foreign
language. From day one, music students
are learning to communicate in Italian,
German and French. The ear-training
they receive through studying music
helps them when they are studying lan-
guages in school. Most musicians find
that they have an easier time speaking
with a proper accent because they have
been trained in the art of listening and
mimicking sounds.
It Builds up their Self-Esteem and
Makes Them Stronger Leaders
The practice of regularly getting up
on stage to perform in front of a large
audience (nerves and all!) builds
incredible confidence. They can
participate more fully in classroom
discussions and, later on, to contrib-
ute their ideas in a work meeting,
give an important presentation, or
just generally be an eloquent and
poised adult. Music gives kids a sense
of identity. It sets them apart, allows
them to feel talented and gifted, and
that their voices matter.
So whether it’s a “mommy and me”
class with your toddler, violin lessons
for your 4-year-old, or a guitar group
for your teenager, music lessons are
a sure win no matter what. The bene-
fits they will receive from their music
studies will help them throughout
the rest of their lives, leading them
on with confidence, and putting
them on a path to success.
Kate Kayaian, B.M., New England
Conservatory, is a concert cellist and
teaches at the Bermuda School of
Music in Hamilton. She also writes
Tales From the Lane: A Lifestyle Blog
for Classical Musicians.
The Gow School is a college prep boarding and day school for students, grades 6-12, with dyslexia or
similar language-based learning disabilities.
By combining a structured program and environment with flexibility, individualization, and room
for fun, Gow provides a rich school experience. This is precisely what dyslexic students need to
learn.
2491 Emery Rd • South Wales, NY 14139
P 716.687.2001 • F 716.687.2003 • gow.org
mybermudaparent.com
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