Learning to play a musical instrument is a rewarding experience for anyone at any age, but music is especially helpful to your academic development. It develops mental skills, builds teamwork and is an activity that can bring joy for a lifetime. It can also help you be more successful in life.

“The word is out: Researchers have discovered a way to make kids smarter. And savvy parents are signing their children up for private music lessons while school boards debate the role of music in the public school curriculum.”

These are the words of Joan Schmidt, member of the board of directors of the National School Boards Association, in support of music programs in our schools.

Statistics indicate that if you participate in music, you are more likely to earn higher grades and score better on standardized tests. Now there is powerful evidence of a cause and effect link between music instruction and intelligence.

A study conducted by psychologist Dr. Frances Rauscher of the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and physicist Gordon Shaw of the University of California at Irvine produced startling results. Preschoolers who received piano instruction scored 34% higher than those who did not study piano in tests to measure spatial-temporal reasoning — that function necessary to understand math, science and engineering. They also scored higher by the same margin than children who studied computer skills!

There are dozens of other recent studies that indicate that music making is a key component of academic and social success. Eisenhower High School provides an opportunity for you to enjoy the benefits that making music can bring.