The importance of music from a young age
The importance of music from a young age
Pictured: Halliford School
The appreciation and importance of music has been recognised for thousands of years. There are musical instruments – flutes made of bones and mammoth ivory – that are over 40,000 years old. Music is not only good for our wellbeing but also our development. “It helps with the nurturing of language and motor skills, emotional intelligence and collaboration,” a government report noted in 2022.
It went on to say that music is a vital part of a rich and rounded education, and launched a National Plan for Music with £25m given to schools to buy equipment.
Merton Music Foundation assists in local schools to bring the benefits of music to all, helping with staff training, whole class teaching and special projects. Says MMF’s Soo Bishop: “Research has shown that in addition to the musical benefits, a high quality music education sharpens the brain’s early encoding of sound, enhancing listening, aural processing skills and aural memory, thus helping with the development of literacy and mathematical skills.” Adds MMF’s Elisabeth Wigley: “We believe that every child should have opportunities for active engagement with high quality music-making activities, ideally through their school, but also with external organisations like MMF. Music education has a positive impact on IQ scores.” MMF has worked annually in partnership with Wimbledon International Music Festival since 2010, devising and delivering innovative music and arts projects in schools, including composition and performance projects. This year, WIMF is supporting two concerts at the New Wimbledon Theatre presented by nine jazz musicians from the diverse Blues and Roots Ensemble, which will engage 1500 children.
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The importance of music in education is highlighted at many schools. Halliford School offers a wide range of facilities to enable students to engage with their passion for music. Headmaster James Davies says: “The power of music is universal and, in our busy lives, often offers immense therapeutic support to foster emotional resilience and reduce anxiety.”
Similarly at Sutton High School, the Director of Music, James Hargraves says that music is integral to school life: “Every student is encouraged to participate from the moment they step through the school gates. Approximately 300 students, aged five to 18, engage in weekly individual singing or instrumental lessons provided by our 22 visiting music teachers. The Music Department aims to be as inclusive as possible, providing opportunities to stretch and develop the musical skills of our most able musicians through to those just starting out on their musical journey.”
Catherine Pinder from Feltonfleet also emphasises the benefits of music for children’s wellbeing and emotional development. “Music offers a powerful medium for emotional expression, helping pupils articulate and manage their feelings. It fosters emotional intelligence by teaching them to interpret and express complex emotions through music.”
Natasha Parsons is Head of Music at Chinthurst School. She notes: “Music enriches life and our aim is to foster a passion for it by making lessons engaging, upbeat and fun. Singing in choirs, learning instruments as part of a group, playing in orchestras and encouraging the children to be creative helps them gain real life skills such as confidence and collaboration.” At Chinhurst they have, for example, ukuleles and djembe drums. The children collaborate when they play in groups and the range of instruments help to celebrate cultural differences.
For those who are demonstrating a particular talent for music, there are scholarships and bursaries at many schools. Or parents could consider specialist education such as choir schools.
At Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory and Choir School, choirmaster Godfrey Searle bequeathed his house for the education of choir boys, and from this Reigate St Mary’s was founded in 1950.
Tali Glynne-Jones, who is Head of Choral Music, says: “Choristership is still very much at the heart of the school, and we are one of only about 45 schools in Great Britain to be members of The Choir Schools’ Association.
“Boys and girls can be choristers and audition at the age of about eight years old. Life as a chorister is busy but fulfilling and rewarding. It provides a unique musical education and experience and is probably the best musical training any child can receive. By the time they leave the choir, the choristers are proficient sight readers and confident performers with a knowledge of a vast repertoire of beautiful music.”
A school specialising in performing arts may be the way forward for some musically gifted children. The Good Schools Guide has advice on choosing such a place.
“Full time specialist schools can offer the best of both worlds, providing a sound academic education alongside rigorous vocational training with like-minded classmates. Be aware, though, that most specialist performing arts schools can’t offer the range of academic subjects that a mainstream school will provide.“
The guide adds that there’s some top-notch arts provision to be found in mainstream education. “Many independent schools have superb facilities for the arts and a proud tradition of excellence. And though large parts of the state system are an artistic desert, there are oases of extraordinary achievement despite cuts in government funding.”
Whether you think your child could pursue music professionally or just wants to do it for the enjoyment, take time to visit all prospective options to see what might work for your family.
