Why music is important Music education is important for several reasons. Music is a very valuable resource for both students and teachers. Research has shown that musical study improves a child's early cognitive development, basic math and reading skills, SAT scores, ability to work in a team, as well as spatial reasoning skills (VH1, 2003, para4) . Music helps students achieve in areas of intelligence. “Feis, Revecz, the Pannenborgs, Miller, and others are unanimous in finding that musicality and high intelligence go together” (Mursell & Glenn, 1931, p. 20). Studies have shown that preschoolers who are taught music and songs score on average 10 to 20 points higher than those without, and by age 15 they have higher reading and math skills. Another study showed that students who had taken a music appreciation course scored 46 points higher on the math portion of the SAT, and students who had musical performance experience scored 39 points higher than students without any musical experience (Harvey, 1997, para13). Music impacts most other areas of learning. “The area that presents the greatest prospects for transfer from music seems to be that of language arts.” (Hoffer, 1983, p. 46) It has been said that music helps concentration while reading. Music helps affective memory, thanks to its use of rhythm, rhyme and melody. Music for young children helps them learn language through the rhythms and patterns involved in learning songs. Involving music in education can help develop oral language skills, listening skills, and an expanded vocabulary. Music can aid understanding of language and basic facts (Dobbs, 1990, 341, 342). Students involved in music education were also shown... half of the document... 10, 2004 from http:/ /www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/This is the website of the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, which is dedicated to restoring music programs in schools and raising awareness of the importance of music in education.AMC- American Music Conference. (2004). Support for music, support for research, education and music reproduction. Retrieved November 19, 2004, from http://www.amc-music.com/MENC-The National Association for Music Education (1991). Growing up whole: The imperative for music education: The report of the National Commission on Music Education. Retrieved November 20, 2004, from http://www.menc.org/publication/articles/academic/growing.htmGoldwyn-Kingon, Jacqueline. (2004, November 7). Beautiful music. The New York Times.Shollenberger, Kyle. (2004, November 28). A richer life through music. Philadelphia investigator.