Hop on the {Band}Wagon

Grace Wilson

Freshman Composition

Ms. Long

February 22, 2016

Hop on the {Band}Wagon

                “Being in band during high school won’t benefit you at all once you graduate”. If I had one dollar for every time someone has said that to me, I’d have enough money to pay for all six years that it will take me to get my Master’s Degree in Music Education. In my opinion, more students should join band during junior high and high school. Many people believe that there is no benefit for joining their high school band, but I know from experience and research that there are many benefits.

            Playing a musical instrument can increase mental activity and ability. It is one of the only activities that uses all seven parts of the human brain. A study conducted in 2007 by Christopher Johnson showed that students in schools that had advanced music programs scored higher in math and English than students who went to schools that did not. One thing that could possibly be related to this is that students who play musical instruments are proven to be able to remember things easier than others. This effect can last throughout the students life (Matthews). When reading music, you must respond with your hands to play the correct notes. Because of this, students who participate in band have been proven to have better hand eye coordination. When playing a musical instrument, the musician must focus on pitch, rhythm, tempo, note duration, and the quality of their sound. Because of this, musicians usually have better concentration skills than non-musicians.

            Being a member in a band can rank you higher socially and give you opportunities that might not have been available to you otherwise. When I first joined Riverside High School band over five years ago, I was a very awkward adolescent. I didn’t like to meet new people and I especially didn’t enjoy having to talk to them. After being in honors bands and going on band trips, I have made a lot of new friends that I believe I will be in contact with for the rest of my life. If you are currently in band, or have ever been in a band, you know that there are many rules and instructions. Because of this, students who are in band or who have been in band are better at following directions. This can help them in their future workplace (Matthews).

            Most importantly, playing a musical instrument is one of the best and most common ways to express yourself. You can express almost any emotion when playing your instrument. Playing music can also make you feel something. Slow, haunting melodies make me feel the most emotion. Some people believe that playing to and listening to music is therapeutic (Brown). The music that you play could bring happiness not only to you, but to those that hear you play (Gordon).
            Music Education and band programs are not a waste of time. They can and will benefit those who are involved in them. Band has made me, as well as other people, better and more well-rounded members of society. If you weren’t in a band when you were younger, then I encourage you to think of someone you know who was in band. Think of their behavior, emotions, and life. Band isn’t useless after high school because of all the things that you learn while you are in band. The lessons you learn aren’t lessons that you will easily forget.


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