The benefits of music in schools

Several measures have been put in place to enable elementary and secondary students to thrive at school. These measures include multiple clubs (chess, reading, robotics, etc.), extracurricular sports and special programs focused on the arts or sports. These are quite effective in enhancing the school experience. Music is no exception to this rule.
whether through teaching it or simply using it in the classroom. It does have benefits for individual students and more generally for schools.

The positive effects of music on students

To begin with, music is an object of rich and undeniable culture, which explains its potential to be present in schools.

According to the Coalition for Music Education (2020), music allows young people to first appropriate Quebec culture, but also, secondly, to discover those from elsewhere. Students from here, as well as students from immigrant backgrounds, can benefit from the exchanges and discoveries that music brings.

According to Arseneau, Isabelle, Riopel, Mathieu (2013-2015), the appropriation and interpretation of classical or contemporary works lead young people towards an openness to the world that is entirely justified in the school environment.

Then, music lessons, just like visual arts and drama lessons, promote the creativity and imagination of students. Indeed, the latter are led to create pieces using instruments or to compose song lyrics. These aspects of creativity are not always put forward since music is seen more as an object of daily pleasure and not as an art to which everyone can contribute. Also, the simple fact of listening to music in class would be beneficial to increase the imagination of students during periods of writing, for example ( Héon, Pascale, 2016) .

Finally, according to Bolduc, J., Lessard A., (2014), we note that the implantation of music in the school life of students can encourage them to increase their self-esteem, their self-confidence and their motivation. . It is at school that young people develop: they gradually construct the person they will become through the discoveries they make and the people they meet. Music, through learning it, for example, can contribute to this self-construction. It also allows students to make friends and learn to work together. They also develop a feeling of perseverance that pushes them to surpass themselves, which helps to increase their academic motivation.

The benefits of music in the school environment
Just as is the case with extracurricular sports teams, school choirs and music groups create a sense of belonging among the students who are part of them ( Bolduc, J., Lessard A., 2014) . They feel accepted and consider that they have a role to play in their school. This feeling of belonging is beneficial, not only for the young people, but also for the school itself: the pupils feel proud of their school and there is a feeling of well-being there. So, less absenteeism can be observed. In short, the students love their school and they want to have a good time there.

It has also been shown that music can have beneficial effects on students' concentration and can also soothe them ( Héon, Pascale, 2016). This is why it is not uncommon to hear relaxation music after dinner in classes or even at any other convenient time. Indeed, it is an increasingly common technique that is practiced by teachers to calm students during reading periods, for example ( Bolduc, J., Lessard A., 2014) . Music drown out distracting noises and keep kids focused on the task at hand. The atmosphere in the classroom is then more conducive to learning.

Finally, when all these elements come together, we can imagine that the contribution of music is more positive for students: it can even promote academic success. It is in circumstances where we are happy, self-confident and in an environment where life is good that we can flourish individually and academically. In short, music and its multiple benefits really deserve their exploitation in our schools.

Author: Camille Nadeau, master's student in orthopedagogy and tutor

Bibliography
Arseneau, Isabelle, Riopel, Mathieu (2013-2015). From sound to music: where creativity and
science meet. pp.45. Retrieved from https://www.cdsp.qc.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2015/11/FichesAccompagnement_ModuleMusique.pdf
Bolduc, J., Lessard A. (2014) “The benefits of teaching and practicing music”. Retrieved from http://www.pianopelo.com/st-colomban-mirabel-en-haut/inc/etude-bienfait_FHOSQ_FAMEQ.pdf
Héon, Pascale (2016). Ear Polyclinic. “Music and its effects on the brain”. Retrieved from https://www.polycliniquedeloreille.com/conseils-sante/musique-effets-cerveau.
The Coalition for Music Education (2020). Why learn music? Retrieved from https://coalitioncanada.ca/en/get involved/whymusic/