In 2000, I was
commissioned by the Performing Right Society in the UK to undertake a
review of research entitled ‘The Value of Music’. The purpose of the
review was to provide hard evidence of the effects of music to be
used as a resource for musicians working in a range of areas who
needed to justify funding for a variety of musical activities. The
necessity for such a resource had become apparent as the place of
music in the school curriculum, the provision of instrumental music
lessons, funding for community music and the arts in general had come
under threat from policy makers. On completion of the review it
became apparent that the proposed title was inadequate to reflect the
immense impact of music in our lives and the final document was
entitled ‘The Power of Music’. It is available on the World Wide Web
at www.thepowerofmusic.co.uk. This advocacy statement is based, in
part, on the findings of that review but also on my own experiences
as a professional performing musician, a music educator, and a
researcher into learning and performance in music. Outlined below are
some of the key areas where music benefits humankind beyond its value
in providing pleasure, stimulation and solace.
Individual skill development -
Making music utilises a great many skills and elicits a wide range of
responses, more perhaps than any other human activity. Participating
in making music requires the development of aural, intellectual,
physical, emotional, communication and musical skills in addition to
high levels of commitment, motivation and organisation. The immediate
time frame within which music is performed also elicits very high
levels of concentration.
Responses to music - The responses
of human beings to music go beyond ‘sound’. Music can be experienced
physiologically (e.g. changes in heart rate); through movement;
through mood and emotion; and cognitively (through knowledge and
memories, which may be personal, or related to the music itself, e.g.
its style or period). The fact that music is processed multiply and
has physical, emotional and cognitive effects may be the key to its
power.
The functions of music in society
- Music has an important role to play in tthe functioning of society
and has had for many thousands of years. No human culture appears to
be without music. Singing, in particular, seems to be universal.
Music is invariably expressed in relation to religion, celebrations
and dance. It forms a part of all major occasions and celebrations,
including weddings, funerals, pageants, rites of passage and
festivals. It is also involved in the human preoccupation with
seeking altered states of consciousness as part of ritual, individual
day dreaming, prayer, meditation or drug use.
Communication - In most cultures,
music serves to assist in the process of increasing communication and
enabling people to function together more effectively. It provides a
means of expressing a wide variety of human feelings, love, sadness
and a sense of belonging which people sometimes find difficult to
verbalise. Making music and sharing its meanings within a culture or
particular environment leads to cohesion and the strengthening of
social unity. It can be a powerful means of maintaining the
continuity and stability of societies through folk music and songs
which give accounts of myths and legends and record important events.
The anti-establishment role of
music – Music can allow the expression of an identity which is
counter to societal norms. In some cases, it can be a powerful tool
for change. It can play an important role in unifying and
exemplifying solidarity in those who are challenging societal norms
and practices.
Music in our everyday lives -
Throughout the 20th century, the development of the electronic media
revolutionised access to and use of music. We can turn on the radio,
play a CD or tape, or listen to music on video or TV with very little
effort. Prior to these developments, music was only accessible for
most people if they made it themselves or attended particular
religious or social events. Now, people ‘consume’ music at an
enormous rate. It has become an integral part of our everyday lives
in a way which would have been unthinkable 100 years ago.
Music in art - In addition to the
value of music as an art form in its own right, music has always
played an important role in the theatre, TV, films and video. Many
great cinematic moments appear meaningless without the accompanying
music.
The music industry - Music is a
substantial economic generator of income in most developed countries
employing many thousands of people. To sustain this requires a supply
of musicians, not only to perform, but to undertake those many tasks
behind the scenes which nevertheless require high levels of musical
expertise.
Music and medicine – Music has
been used to support health education, reduce anxiety and pain in
medicine and dentistry, increase relaxation, improve recovery rates,
stimulate the immune system, support rehabilitation after brain
damage, help children with progressive neuromuscular disorders,
improve co-ordination and difficulties in movement, reduce the
negative effects of Alzheimer’s disease, tend the complex physical
and spiritual needs of the dying, and help people work through grief
and depression.
The effects of music on early
development - Music can support the development of gross and fine
motor activities, language skills, some aspects of somato-sensory
co-ordination, some cognitive behaviours, and encourage sucking and
promote weight gain in babies, particularly those born prematurely or
underweight. Musical interactions between mother and baby help
develop bonds of communication and facilitate speech development.
Personal and social development -
There are demonstrable positive effects of involvement with music on
childrens’ personal and social development, particularly for low
ability, disaffected pupils and those of low economic status. There
is also some evidence that involvement in music can increase social
inclusion.
Music for all - Increasingly
musical opportunities are being created to enhance the quality of the
lives of those who have aural impairments, learning difficulties, and
autism. Music has also been used to support the learning of children
with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Music, commerce, advertising and
work - Music has always played a major part in our work activities
being used to co-ordinate movement, alleviate boredom, develop team
spirit and speed up the pace of work. Nowadays, the commercial and
industrial uses of music constitute major industries. Music is a
major component of consumer marketing. It is effective in enhancing
the appeal of products and in promoting memory for them. It has also
been used to manipulate consumers shopping, eating and drinking
habits. The type of music we listen to may also be able to predict
consumer behaviour. Ratings of the depressive content of the most
popular songs in the USA have also predicted gross national product
with a one to two year time lead.
Endnote
Most people hear music for
substantial proportions of time each day. It plays a major part in
our everyday lives and has major benefits in relation to our
well-being and development. It is unthinkable, therefore, that it
should not be studied by young people within compulsory education
systems. In addition, the demand for music continues to increase. To
support this, young people need to be provided with opportunities to
acquire the necessary skills to work in the music industry.