Caitlyn Ujvari 
JRNM 151 

Meyers, standing, conducts his jazz band students during practice at LCCC. (Caitlyn Ujvari|The Collegian)

Listening to music is one thing most college students can bond over.

However, students may be unaware of the several benefits of including music into their curriculum, especially at a young age.

“I don’t know so much about this age, but I know fifth-graders are better readers, better at math,” said Jeffrey Meyers, jazz band instructor at Lorain County Community College.

An introduction to music at a young age helps people to support their left-to-right reading development, as well as helping in math when they have to break down notes and rhythms.

Students learn the value of sustained effort to achieve excellence and the concrete rewards of hard work throughout music study, according to an article written by Carolyn Phillips, former executive director of the Norwalk Youth Symphony, Connecticut.

Phillips added that students involved in music education also earn higher grades in school and perform better on standardized testing.

Music students, on average, scored about 31 points higher than average in reading, 23 points higher than average in math, and another 31 points higher than average in writing, according to several studies conducted on the topic.

“Music comprehension is extremely important, even at a young age and can lead to much more,” says Meyers. Music also evokes feelings and emotions, whether that be positive or negative, and involving oneself in music classes also produces that same effect.

“If I have a crappy day at work, the first thing I do is get my horn out,” said Meyers. For him, among many other instrumentalists, music offers an outlet for stress. There is also the excitement of hearing certain famous composers and being able to play difficult passages or pieces.

According to former music student, Landen Maderia, “I noticed I felt a lot better when I was in band. I loved making music of course, but I also loved being with my friends.”

“There’s a social aspect, being a part of a team, and paying attention to detail,” said Meyers, “You can do this for the rest of your life.”

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