This week, two very interesting things crossed my ‘desk’ (er, my email account), and I am struck at the alignment of these two items.

The Dana Foundation released a new report, titled “Learning, Arts, and the Brain” (Download report here ) This extensive 3 year study, led by Dr. Michael S. Gazzaniga from the University of California in Santa Barbara, addresses this question: Do smart kids tend to gravitate toward band, orchestra, music, dance classes? Or do kids who get involved in the arts somehow become ‘smarter.’ In other words, is there something about training in the arts that supports the development of human cognition, applicable in other subject areas?

This study seems to point to the latter. That is, participation in the arts – especially for children – does, indeed seem to have a positive impact on cognition.

SO – does this mean test scores could actually go up if we let kids play trombone in school?

Hmmm —- Wait a moment. Does it REALLY take a study showing cognition growth to convince us that experience with the arts is a good thing for kids? And do we HAVE to make EVERYTHING raise test scores these days to be supported?

Second thing that flew by my cyberworld this week was this very cool site: It’s not on the test.

Tom Chapin – a Grammy award-winning song writer just launched national distribution of this song and video to raise awareness about the importance of music education in all classrooms. He also cleverly reminds us that our often single-minded focus on tests and accountability may be a big distractor to real improvement in America’s schools.

So here is my take — It’s a HUGE bonus that involvement in the Arts helps promote greater academic performance. And ‘good on’ the Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium for its detailed and comprehensive three year study to establish this connection. But also a big standing ovation for Tom Chapin for his humorous and poignant reminder that the human experience is VERY big, and exposure to the arts is an important part of that experience. Fully funded, fully supported Arts education programs in our schools are important because the ARTS are IMPORTANT – to ensure our students have rich, full lives, including all the glory the arts experiences provide.

STORY for this post:

Several months ago, my friends at the Texas Music Education Association asked me to participate in speaking to the State Board of Education in a public forum as to the importance of the arts in education. My response? Of course, I was delighted to do so. I also wrote an op-ed that was published in Dallas and Waco. And why did I speak out? As an ex-mathematics and computer science teacher, and a big believer in the importance of these academic areas, it occurred to me that the vocal and performance training I received throughout my youth is actually the skill I draw on most often. It’s that dedication to practice, self confidence in performance, and amazing inner peace I achieve when I sing that I most value today and which I think has most influenced whatever business success I have achieved.

Thank you, Mrs. Powers (my first voice teacher) and all the countless music teachers I’ve had over the years.

Addendum:
Ten Simple Ways Parents Can Get More Art in Their Kids’ Lives