APRIL LETTER: MUSIC EDUCATION - MORE THAN JUST MUSICTo the Parent/s of (name of

student):Current research has begun to define the importance of music study as it

relates to the development of a child's mind. It continues to produce significant
data demonstrating that students of music excel in everything they do.At (name of
school) we think music is basic to life. It is an artistic language that helps the
human connect imagination to expression; it cultivates the whole child. Instead of
instructing the student "what to think," it teaches the student "how to think." It
underscores the value of interpretation and personal judgment rather than the
traditional right-or-wrong answer concept of learning.Perhaps Dr. Gordon Shaw and
Dr. Francis Rauscher (while at the University of California - Irvine) have done
the most provocative neurological research about the value of music study:"A
research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reports that music
training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing
children's abstract reasoning skills necessary for learning math and science.
After six months of lessons, those children who received the music training
performed 34% higher on tests measuring spatial-temporal ability than the others.
These findings indicate that music uniquely enhances higher brain functions
required for mathematics, science, and engineering." 1This is only one of many
ongoing experiments that continue to support the theory that music enhances the
human intellect. It is apparent we have merely scratched the surface concerning
the positive implications of music study.We also know that music is an integral
part of a complete education. Music augments awareness and sensitivity in our
children. We must never take for granted the excellent music program we enjoy at
(name of school). Thanks to you, we look forward to many more years of quality
music education.With appreciation,Name of Director1. Review from Neurological
Research Journal, February 28, 1997 on a study done by Dr. Gordon Shaw and Dr.
Frances Rauscher.