Why Music Education Matters for Kids

What kids learn through music…it’s more than singing!

Why should my child study music? It’s a question every parent asks at some point. The late composer and educator Patrick Kavanaugh answered it beautifully in his book Raising Musical Kids. He identified several advantages that go far beyond learning an instrument or singing in a choir. Here are a few of the qualities that music education develops in young people.

Perseverance

“No matter how much inborn talent a child may have,” Kavanaugh wrote, “no child is ready to perform a new piece without effort.” He explained that music teaches children to triumph over large, long-term problems by dividing them into small sections and conquering them one by one. A child learns to practice a difficult passage until it becomes easy. To repeat, refine, and improve. To keep going even when it’s hard. This skill doesn’t stay in the rehearsal room. It carries over to homework, sports, friendships, and life itself.

Teamwork and Listening

When a child sings in a choir, they learn to listen to the voices around them. To blend. To harmonize. To hold their part while others hold theirs. It’s one of the most powerful forms of collaboration there is.

Confidence and Self-Expression

Performing in front of an audience, whether a small group or a packed hall, builds confidence that lasts a lifetime. Children discover that their voice matters. That they have something to say, and a way to say it.

Discipline and Achievement

Music requires patience. There are no shortcuts. But when a child finally masters a piece they’ve worked on for weeks, the sense of pride is immense. That feeling of earned achievement is something they carry with them forever.

At YCM, we see these qualities develop in our choristers every day. Through choir, musical, robotics, videomaking, and photography, kids ages 6-18 learn to persevere, collaborate, and grow. All in English, right here in Milan.

Want your child to experience the benefits of music education? Join us for a free trial lesson and discover what they’re capable of.

by Amy Barton, YCM Artistic Director