What benefits do pupils gain from studying your subject at secondary school?

The tuition of music at secondary level comes at perhaps the most important time in a students life. Throughout their teenage years, they will develop the range of emotive and physiological responses that have the power to shape the people they will become later in life. Music helps us form these characteristics in so many ways and without the opportunity to study it we would be depriving ourselves the chance to fully realize our potential in life. It is therefore imperative that we introduce music to students at the earliest age possible, and maintain its importance throughout their development into adulthood.

It is amazing to me how many children dont realise what a fundamental part of their lives music is. Every single day we are exposed to some form of music, be it through television, the internet, in passing or environmentally, but often can take it for granted or do not notice it. Through the study of music in school, students get a chance to understand the importance the subject has in our lives, they learn how to process and discuss music analytically and gain experience in expressing their own musical ideas through composition and performance.

Music encompasses so many different techniques, both academic and artistic, enabling students to develop a broad and diverse skill set that is relevant and applicable to so many other aspects in their lives. We regularly hear that studying the theoretic side of music is beneficial to our mathematics skills. Likewise, the opportunity to play an instrument or sing in a choir can help a child build their confidence and encourage teamwork, whilst giving them an artistic outlet that in turn develops their own unique emotional side.

Furthermore, music in the classroom gives students the chance to work with each other, participate in group activities and discussions and share ideas. In music, we all learn from each other, which in turn develops a broader and more objective understanding of the subject, alongside skills that can be applied to so many aspects of our lives. Whether or not a student decides to continue studying music at GCSE and beyond, their lives will have been in some way enriched through being exposed to this invaluably beneficial and empowering subject.