Why music makes our brain sing

by ROBERT J. ZATORRE and VALORIE N. SALIMPOOR
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: June 7, 2013

MUSIC is not tangible. You can’t eat it, drink it or mate with it. It doesn’t protect against the rain, wind or cold. It doesn’t vanquish predators or mend broken bones. And yet humans have always prized music — or well beyond prized, loved it.

Baptiste Alchourroun

In the modern age we spend great sums of money to attend concerts, download music files, play instruments and listen to our favorite artists whether we’re in a subway or salon. But even in Paleolithic times, people invested significant time and effort to create music, as the discovery of flutes carved from animal bones would suggest.

So why does this thingless “thing” — at its core, a mere sequence of sounds — hold such potentially enormous intrinsic value?

The quick and easy explanation is that music brings a unique pleasure to humans. Of course, that still leaves the question of why. But for that, neuroscience is starting to provide some answers.

Artful Thinking: Maryland Middle School Proves Arts Ed Improves Grades and Behavior

by Liz Dwyer

on September 1, 2012 at 3:00AM PDT
Great YOU TUBE Video in Read More
Thanks to Stacey Kimberlin of Des Moines Education Association for this Post

Arts exposure makes students more altruistic, civically engaged, and socially tolerant. Need more proof of the transformation that happens when arts education is taken seriously in schools? Look no further than this inspiring profile of Bates Middle School, a public school in Annapolis, Maryland from our friends over at Edutopia. Bates has a full visual and performing arts program integrated across the curriculum and they've seen significant improvements in student behavior and academic performance.

The value of arts in education

Students with learning and emotional difficulties may benefit the most

by Mike McGrew

1:48 p.m. EDT, September 4, 2012

 

One dreary spring morning, I entered Robert Moton Elementary as opera resounded through its halls, stirring my soul like never before. As a school psychologist with limited exposure to classical genres, I was startled but tremendously invigorated by this music. I then noticed some students bopping down the halls — also seemingly uplifted.

 

I immediately sought out the assistant principal, a former music teacher who selects Moton's morning melodies, begging him to identify this inspiring music. "'Nessum Dorma,' Pavarotti's most famous work," he smilingly responded.

 

Well, I thought, if a geezer who failed art, hated clarinet and has no sense of rhythm could feel rejuvenated by a shot of culture, just think of how it might benefit struggling students possessing more talent and inspiration.

10 Ways to Support Arts Education

Kristen Engebretsen of AMERICANS FOR THE ARTSThe ARTS EDUCATION NETWORK is another reason that arts professionals and passionate advocates should be members of AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS
Originally posted August 11, 2011

This week I got an email from someone concerned about the budget cuts to arts education and inquiring about what they could do to help keep the arts in schools.

In the spirit of my colleague Randy Cohen’s popular post (Top 10 Reasons to Support the Arts), I am presenting my own Top 10 Ways to Support Arts Education.

10. Volunteer your time, resources, skills:Many schools would appreciate your time as a chaperone, your skill as a teaching artist, or your donations of money, costumes, rehearsal space, etc.

9. Know the facts: Stay on top of current arts education research, trends, and news articles. Start with Reinvesting in Arts Education, which summarizes research on the topic. Use this data in your messaging when you speak to elected officials or school leaders.

8. Get involved politically: Tell your elected officials why arts education is important. Ask your members of Congress to keep the arts listed as a core subject during the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

NATIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION WEEK: SEPTEMBER 9–15

In July 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring the week following the second Sunday of September as National Arts in Education Week. Celebrate with us this year, September 9–15, 2012. Take the opportunity to draw attention to arts education in your school and build momentum for a great school year. Americans for the Arts will celebrate by hosting our biannual blog salon about arts education topics on ARTSblog. This blog salon will feature about 20 posts by arts and education leaders throughout the week, all discussing the intersection between the arts and the new Common Core State Standards. Follow the salon by using this link to the arts education section of ARTSblog.

Why Arts Education Must Be Saved

from EDUTOPIA

Schools draw on the community to bring art and music to students.



Almost every one of us can point back to a creative pursuit, in or out of school, that enhanced our skills, knowledge, or understanding. Yet the majority of secondary school students in the United States aren't required to enroll in arts courses, many elementary schools nationwide lack art classes or activities, and arts and music instruction is often the first thing to go when schools feel the pressure to improve test scores.

Happily, from this admittedly grim background spring many rays of hope. In our special report on arts education, Edutopia paints a bright picture of how schools are forging innovative community partnerships to bring rich, academically integrated arts curriculum to their students:

More Resources for Art Educators

Thanks to our friend Jennifer Jenkins for sharing even more great art education resources from online university.  Lots of links to online museum exhibits and on painters.  We appreciate your contribution Jennifer.

Visual art is one of the oldest forms of human expression, stretching all the way back to the cave paintings at el Castillo in Northern Spain to the massive installations by Damien Hurst in the 1990s. This resource will concentrate mainly on visual art, such as sculpture, painting, ceramics and drawing, some specific periods and movements in the history of art and galleries and influential museums which house online resources for those interested in viewing art and learning more about particular forms.

Music Education Links

Music Education and Intergration Tools

1.) Stanton’s Sheet Music is a site that provides printable sheet music for Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz, Marching Bang, Choral, Handbell, and General music.

2.) K-12 Resources for Music Educators is a valuable resource for music educators and students of all areas and educational levels. Regularly updated. For over fifteen years, the most visited and valued music education resource website available internationally. Carefully researched and commercial free.

3.) The Virtual Piano is a web based piano that you can play using the keyboard or mouse.

4.) The Music Resources Wiki is a great resource for finding other resources. I highly recommend seeing what you can find.

Art Education Links

 

 

Art Integration Tools and Resources

1.) Art History Resources on the Web is a place to find various Art from different countries and time periods. A valuable resource for students who might be interested in trying to recreate a famous piece of artwork, or make their own rendition. 

2.) Smarthistory.org is a free, not-for-profit, multi-media web-book designed as a dynamic enhancement (or even substitute) for the traditional art history textbook.

3.) Art Education 2.0 is a Social Network for Art Teachers to share, discuss, and find other teachers who are using technology in the art classroom.

4.) Artsonia is the words largest online database of art created by students and shared by students. It is a chance to get your student’s work displayed for the world to see.

Teacher-Voice: How Not to be a Bobble-Head Doll

by Jose Vilson from TEACHER LEADER'S NETWORK

"Teacher voice" is one of the most ambiguous phrases in education reform—used differently by governors, chancellors, commission leaders, advocacy organizations, and school administrators.

Sometimes, "teacher voice" means that the convening group or individual actually wants meaningful input from educators. But more often than not, teachers are being asked to complete a project or support an agenda that needs little more than their reluctant signatures. 

I offered a different definition of "teacher voice" at April's TEDxNYED conference. This is a phrase we can reclaim. Truly engaging with "teacher voice" means taking seriously the collective and individual expression of teachers' professional opinions based on their knowledge and classroom expertise. Anything else is just a "teacher nod." Like we’re all bobble-head dolls.  

Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts & Culture Industry on the American Economy

This June, Americans for the Arts released the new Arts & Economic Prosperity IV (AEP IV) study demonstrating that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $135.2 billion in economic activity and supports 4.13 million jobs in the United States! These powerful findings from the largest and most comprehensive arts impact study ever conducted can help you showcase the economic power of the arts in your community and help you leverage more support.

FULL ONLINE COVERAGE

Full coverage of new business items, amendments, resolutions and other items considered during the 2012 Representative Assembly.

• Amendments
• Legislative Amendments
• New Business Items
• Resolutions
• Election of NEA Officers
• Proposed Amendment to the Policy Statement on Teacher Evaluation and Accountability

Point, Counterpoint: Should Student Test Scores Be Used to Evaluate Teachers?

Updated June 24, 2012, 2:18 p.m. ET
Wall Street Journal Report: Big Issues in Education
How much to credit—and blame—teachers for student performance is an issue that continues to confound the education field. To what extent is each student's progress directly attributable to the teacher's efforts? What other factors can determine a student's success? Is there a way to measure each factor separately, including the teacher's influence?

These are just some of the questions that surround the issue of whether student test scores should be used to evaluate teacher performance.

Some say it's unfair to base teacher personnel decisions on student test scores. Students have different levels of ability and commitment, and different experiences outside the classroom. No two students get exactly the same amount of parental support.

Others say that student test scores give an incomplete view but provide a starting point, a basic means of comparison. Combined with reports from trained classroom observers and surveys of how students rate their teachers, supporters say, the test scores may be very useful indeed.

Thomas Kane, a professor of education and economics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the faculty director for the Center for Education Policy Research, argues in favor of using test scores in evaluating teachers. Linda Darling-Hammond, the Charles E. Ducommun professor of education and faculty co-director of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education, Stanford University, argues against.

Arts Education In America 10 Years After NCLB

This week, the U.S. Department of Education released a study entitled Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools 1999-2000 and 2009-10. This study was previously published in 2002 and highlights the impact that the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has had on arts education.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated, “despite the importance of providing equal educational opportunities in the arts, today's report shows we are falling well short of that goal.”

Report: Fewer elementary schools offering visual arts, drama, dance; poor students hurt most

REPRINTED FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

MIAMI - Elementary schools without drama classes. High schools with large numbers of poor students that do not offer music.

Those are two of the bleaker pictures that emerged Monday from a report by the U.S. Department of Education on the state of arts education.

Fewer public elementary schools are offering visual arts, dance and drama classes than a decade ago, a decline many attribute to budget cuts and an increased focus on math and reading. The percentage of elementary schools with a visual arts class declined from 87 to 83 percent. In drama, the drop was larger: From 20 percent to 4 percent in the 2009-10 school year.

NEA & NPR Arts Event FROM THE TOP Used to Kick-Off Our Year-Long Arts Advocacy Campaign

JOIN IN A CELBRATION OF STUDENTS AND THE ARTS.July 2, 2011 * Tickets $7.50 * 6:30-10:00 PM
Arie Crown Theatre, Lakeside Building, McCormick Place

Tickets Available at: http://www.cvent.com/d/3dqhfd  

NEA Fine Arts Caucus On-Line Advocacy Kit

GENERAL ARTS ADVOCACY

• Advocacy for Arts in General
• Advocacy for Community Schools
• Americans for the Arts
• Arts Education Advocacy
• The National Guild

SPECIFIC ARTS ADVOCACY SITES

Each of the discipline specific arts education service organizations’ websites contain a great deal of information on how to advocate for the arts as a part of education. These sites are a great starting point for finding statistics, research reports, sample speeches, letters and the like.
American Association of Community Theatres http://www.aact.org/advocacy.html

Problems with Standardized Testing

Need some research to convince policy makers that standardized tests are not the answer and that we should advocate for authentic, performance and alternative assessment?

• Ravitch: Standardized Testing Undermines Teaching - http://www.npr.org/2011/04/28/135142895/ravitch-standardized-testing-undermines-teaching
• When Will the Testing Bubble Burst? - http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2011/04/when_will_the_testing_bubble_b.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dbb7ec542a97d3b%2C0

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: WE NEED RELIEF NOW!

Today, [my principal told me] that I can only teach reading and math during the school day in my sixth grade class.  Everyone is so scared to not make AYP, that this is the response that we are getting….I'm not allowed to teach science, social studies, and writing, [or] address the poverty students' needs or those who are neglected in some form or another.  Can I incorporate some of this into my reading and math?  Yes, I can do that because I'm a great teacher who cares about a well-rounded student.  But it won't be enough.  What do I tell my coworkers in middle school who teach these other subjects?  There are major flaws in NCLB and they need [to be] fixed now…. Please help!  – NEA Cyber-lobbyist, Wisconsin

Kansas Arts Agency Eliminated

May 28, 2011—In response to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s decision to veto funding for the Kansas Arts Commission, Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, issued the following statement:

Americans for the Arts is disappointed with Governor Sam Brownback’s decision to eliminate the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) by vetoing the legislative branch’s budget for the agency. His action not only robs the citizens of his state of access to quality arts programming, but is also a direct affront to his campaign platform to create jobs and rebuild the state’s economy.  Kansas now holds the dubious distinction of being the only state without a functioning state agency in charge of promoting the arts and culture.

 
Further, the KAC received a matching grant of $778,200 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in 2011 to support Kansas jobs, artists and cultural groups. That funding is now lost for 2012 with the elimination of the KAC, the only agency in Kansas that is eligible for the NEA’s matching grants. Kansas also loses the $437,767 the KAC brought in from its regional partner, the Mid-America Arts Alliance. This $1.2 million funding shortfall far exceeds the $689,000 KAC appropriation recommended by the Kansas legislature during budget negotiations.
 
We at Americans for the Arts understand that times are tough, and governors across the country are facing hard budget decisions. We further recognize that the arts will have to do their part to ensure state governments are able to make ends meet. So while some cuts to arts funding are expected, they should be proportional to those of other government services.  We all have to do our part. The arts alone should not be sacrificed as they have been in Kansas as the total elimination of the KAC does not substantially solve Kansas’s budget deficit but rather removes $1.2 million in federal money from Kansas’ economy—money that will now go to other states.