Music Engagement - Food For The Brain - Mozart’s Monthly Memo-Volume 32
July 5, 2023
New session of Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, July 11
Music Engagement - Food For The Brain
This Memo includes
Feature Article: Music Engagement - Food For The Brain
Student Hall of Fame
Practice Tip
Piano Party - July 9
Parents Ask Pam - We would like to get a piano/keyboard for our child to practice on at home. What do you suggest?
Feature Article - Music Engagement - Food For The Brain
Written by Pamela Cornell, Inspired by Susan Stoltzfus
You’ve heard of the “Mozart Effect”? The idea that listening to Mozart’s music can boost your intelligence? This study came out in 1993, was a big sensation at the time, and has since been debunked. Turns out listening to classical music does increase your spatial reasoning abilities for a short time, but what really makes the difference is engaging with music, you know, like playing an instrument.
“‘ . . . making music matters’ because it is only through the active generation and manipulation of sound that music can rewire the brain.” (Nina Kraus, Director of Northwestern University’s Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory). This study found that passive music involvement did not yield the same effect as being actively involved with music. Common sense, right? The more you put into learning, the more you get out of learning.
Another study, (Brain and Creativity Institute at University of Southern California) came to the same conclusion when comparing students taking instrument lessons compared to students in sports and students not involved in any extracurricular activities. The statement from this study that really stands out to me though is that the children taking instrument lessons were 6 - 7 years old and were practicing 7 hours a week! What?! Where did they find these children?! Really? A six year old practiced an hour or more a day? And not just one, but all the students in the study! At least that is the claim they are stating. Well, yes! I would hope they would see a difference with those instrumental students compared to the others!
But what does this mean to you and your children? Are you able to help your child practice an hour every day so they can be more intelligent? Do you even have the time? And if you don’t, have you failed?
The good news is that there are many, many musical studies that show the benefits and relationship of music education to intelligence, or at least to a more active brain. The science doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know. Music engages both our analytical and creative side of our brains. The study of music, or more specifically, the study of playing a musical instrument, makes that engagement even more powerful. Of the tens of thousands of children I have interacted with in my lifetime, there are only a handful from all ages (3.5 to adult) that could actually practice their instrument consistently 7 hours a week. But I saw improvement from every child.
The science shows us that music feeds our brain, but I would assert that it does even more, it feeds our soul. How can science measure that? I don’t know. But I do know that your child is a whole package, not just a brain, and music fits into that whole package. There is more involved in learning than what most of these studies look at. Motivation, enthusiasm, and humor are all part of what interests your child and keeps them engaged. It doesn’t matter if your child practices an hour a day or just shows up to their lessons, they still benefit and music will continue to be a part of their lives. Just like every child is different and unique, how music affects each person is also different and unique. You have given your child the gift of learning a musical instrument. You are already ahead of the game.
Sources:
https://time.com/3634995/study-kids-engaged-music-class-for-benefits-northwestern/
https://www.artsedsearch.org/study/window-of-opportunity-adolescence-music-and-algebra/
https://news.usc.edu/102681/childrens-brains-develop-faster-with-music-training/
Student Hall Of Fame
Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.
Welcome to our new students and returning students - Aadhya K, Aarav A, Abi R, Aeliana D, Ahana M, Aldo G, Alex L, Allen W, Ally S, Anika S, Antonia G, Anvith R, Asher K, Atharv T,Atticus O, Avi S, Bavana G, Booker B, Charles A, Charlotte R, Dashiell A, Fernanda L, Gwen H, Hamsika K, Hannah V, Isha K, Kaaira M, Kamalini S, Karman G, Leandra O, Leo Z, Lesly L, Lincoln J, Livi P, Lori G, Luka P, Margot J, Matei G, Max S, Maxcinne C, Mika A, Mina L, Mirav J, Neel H, Olive C, Ophelia S, Ori S, Otto L, Owen J, Shreyas J, Yura K, Zoe C, and Zoey A,
100 Days - play the piano for at least 5 minutes 100 days in a row - Kevin J.
5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Amira S, Isabella N, Janice L, Jason J, Lillian R, and Siya P. ( * indicates first time meeting this challenge!)
Listening - Listen to classical music for 1 hour/week for 4 weeks in a row - Dominic M.
Completed their piano lesson book - Shane G. & Lieto Z.
Moved Up To The Next Music Level - Ira W.
50X - Played their new song 50 times in the first week - Lieto Z.
Practice Tip
Go to live concerts. During the summer many cities offer free, live concerts each week featuring local bands. Usually this music covers a wide variety of genres, including cover bands for pop, folk and country music, but also original music and music with a unique niche. The one thing these concerts have in common are live music with a family friendly environment. This is the perfect opportunity to bring your budding musician out to see a professional play. Listening to live music not only helps develop a great musical ear, but it also inspires and motivates one to play their own music.
Upcoming MOM Events
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with new lessons and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Sunday, June 9, at 11:00 am for ages 3 - 6 years old
Sunday, June 9, at 12:00 pm for ages 7 - 12 years old
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your free meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
Crescendo Kids CLASSES -
North Kirkland Community Center - Tuesdays or Thursdays - visit kirklandparks.net
Summer:
Tuesdays, June 27 - August 22 (no class July 4)
Thursdays, June 29 - August 24
Fall:
Registration begins August 23, 7:00AM
Tuesdays, September 19 - December 12 (no class October 31)
Thursdays, September 21 - December 14 (no class November 23)
Winter:
Registration begins August 23, 7:00AM
Tuesdays, January 16 - April 2 (no class February 20)
Thursdays, January 18 - April 4, (no class February 15).
Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline - Mondays - visit shorelinewa.gov/registernow
Summer:
Mondays, June 26 - August 21
Fall:
Registration begins August 22-23 for Shoreline Residents, August 24 for Lake Forest Park Residents, August 25 for all others, 8:00AM
Mondays, September 18 - December 11
30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons
New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, July 11. Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Perfect for beginning students ages 3 1/2 to 12 years old. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: We would like to get a piano/keyboard for our child to practice on at home. What do you suggest?
A: This is the one question I probably get asked the most. The good news, just about any keyboard will suffice, at least in the short term. The bad news, purchasing a keyboard or piano can be about as complex as purchasing a car. I have written a couple of articles to help you make this decision easier. If you have any specific questions or questions not answered in these articles, please feel free to reach out. I'm happy to help in any way possible.
https://www.moveovermozart.net/newsletters/purchasing-a-keyboard-or-piano-part-1-of-2
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How do you encourage practicing in your home? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net