Music is everywhere. The beats, the rhythms, the notes; they are everywhere. And you’re probably wondering: how does she know that music is everywhere? Because music is a part of who I am as a person and is something that I believe has drastically changed my life. To be honest, I really don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have music. It has become a part of me that I will never be able to let go. As far back as I can remember, music was always there for me. Whether it was at school, at home or at play, some sort of song or lyric was in the mix, making me laugh or even cry. And I appreciated it no matter what because some people don’t have the joy of experiencing music and hearing the beautiful sounds that come from pianos or guitars or bass drums but I do.

Much like many famous musician of our time, my love for music came from growing up in a church setting. At church, song and dance were the means by which we chose to express praise and thanks to God for his blessings. For me, there was no church without music. There could be no instruments and maybe even an almost empty congregation, but there would most certainly be music made solely from clapping, stomping and singing, still producing the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard. You haven’t seen or felt the beauty of music until you’ve witnessed its creation from nothing to something.

In school my love for music deepened tremendously. I actually started learning some technical terms and how to (kinda) read music for the most part. That part probably didn’t stick as well as it should’ve but I was still interested in learning more. Because I was pretty much only familiar with songs from church or music that was very popular on television and the radio, there were so many genres of music that I had never been exposed to. Middle school and high school changed that for me. While in middle school, I learned to sing in a language other than English (French) for the first time, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Then I got to high school and had the most amazing music teacher ever. She was the person who taught me most of what I know about beats and rhythms and notes but also pushed me past my musical boundaries. She forced me to learn about different cultures through music and it wasn’t always something I liked or preferred but it was necessary because it opened my mind to a world of new things. For that I am forever grateful to her.

Students need music education. That may sound like a very opinionated statement but here is why I believe that it’s the truth. Whether or not people like to acknowledge it, there are many scientific facts that prove the various benefits of being involved in some kind of musical education, such as studying music or playing an instrument. Studying or even just listening to some form of music is known to strengthen the brain and also significantly boost intelligence quotients. The hours spent training young students in musical arts helps them to tap into multiple skill sets that will better them in the long run. For example, students who are involved with reading music and practicing an instrument learn how to master memorization, strengthen their coordination, and fine-tune their auditory functions faster than students who aren’t. Musical training also helps develop language and reasoning, all while encouraging students to build better intellectual curiosities and stronger imaginations.

Here is a video on how engaging with art affects the human brain.

http://www.aaas.org/news/how-engaging-art-affects-human-brain

Not only is it proven that studying music can benefit students intellectually, but studies also show that it helps with a student’s emotional development. Mastering any form of music increases self-confidence, helps with relaxation and eventually contributes greatly to success in society. In an interview with Gil Toth, a musician and teacher from Trenton, New Jersey, he mentions that music brought him out of his shyness and gave him a sense of relief and self worth. Nowadays, students need to have confidence to be successful in this world or they will get torn apart.

Unfortunately, there are too many poverty-ridden areas where young boys and girls who suffer from low self-esteem live on the streets every day when they could be spending their time and talents on something more useful.
In Paterson, New Jersey, Rev. Andrew R. Bennett, my father, created an after-school program in one of the most economically depressed areas in the city. I have witnessed first-hand the struggles of the young people from that area whether it be in school or at home. What was great about the after school program was that it gave the students something to look forward to after spending a long day in a place where they felt no one cared for them. At first it was heartbreaking to become aware of the terrible school environment that these students had to face every day. I had never heard, seen, or experienced any of the situations they had described but knowing that our program served as a safe haven was comforting. We offered homework help, food, and various means of entertainment, such as song and dance lessons during the school week. It was great seeing the excitement on the children’s faces after they had just been fed a decent meal or when they learned a new song or dance move. It was like they had never been able sing or dance before.

The fact that I was fortunate enough to grow up with parents and educators who exposed me to different arts and music cultures really opened my eyes to the young people around me who were no where near as fortunate as I was.
Because of this I know that the more time that a student spends involved in extra-curricular music programs, such as concert choir or drum line, or any programs in general, the less time there is for them to be participating in activities that are more likely to get them in trouble. Music can change a person’s life.