Music Tuition
Does learning a musical instrument make you smarter?
Gone are the days when every student would learn an instrument – finding a piano player these is a rather hard task – fifty years ago most teachers, especially primary school teachers could play basic piano. Along with many other aspects of society that have disappeared with the onslaught of computers, gaming and social media, learning a musical instrument seems to no longer be of importance.
This is much to the detriment of a young person’s brain development and social wellbeing.
Many studies have proven the connection between high academia and learning an instrument.
“MRI imaging revealed that students who also study music engage more parts of their brains while performing cognitive tests. These students demonstrated greater proficiency at high-level thinking, including the ability to problem solve, multi-task, and make good choices: all indicators of high executive brain function. Over the course of a lifetime, high levels of executive brain function may be more of a determinant of success than IQ.”
Well known ‘musical’ high achievers:
- Most of St Philip’s College Dux students have all learnt instruments through the College’s Music Tuition program
- Albert Einstein attributed his own genius as being enhanced due to his violin playing
- Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, attributes his music education to giving him the focus to strive for higher goals
- Meryl Streep studied singing in order to be better prepared as an actress
- Neil Armstrong didn’t just walk on the moon, he was well known as a saxophone player
- Trey Parker, creator of “South Park”, studied music at tertiary level and incorporates this knowledge in all his creative pursuits.
If you are interested in the St Philip’s Music Tuition program, please contact Kristina Kidd on 8950 4529.
~ Kristina Kidd
Music Tuition Coordinator