BENEFITS of MUSIC

With increasing frequency, arts and humanities practitioners and educators are forced to justify both educational and practical programs in the arts. Of course, overlooking the powerful societal and individual benefits of music and other arts in lieu of STEM areas is both shortsighted and foolhardy. 

Below is a collection of articles (academic and popular) and videos that speak to the power of music, the benefits to individuals and societies, and developmental advantages offered to those who study music. And, because many excellent resources exist, this is an incomplete list; please contact me HERE if you know of any sources worthy of inclusion.

EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT

SOCIETAL & INDIVIDUAL BETTERMENT

HEALTH

PHILOSOPHY

This is the most truncated section; a reference list that covers this subject would include thousands of links. My favorite two areas in this arena are Ancient Greece (Doctrine of Ethos, Theory of Imitation) and the rich lineage of German philosophers who focus on music: Kant to Schelling to ETA Hoffmann, to Schopenhauer, to Nietzsche. Check JSTOR for a collection of excellent academic papers, and let me know if you’d like more references.