Music transcends time and space; it exists in every realm and reality. It is the language that our heart speaks and mind seeks. It brings peace, harmony and stability among the chaos of our materialistic life. It takes us on a journey from uninspiring to inspiring and paints our colourless life with vibrant colours. Defining music is a mammoth task as it cannot be restricted to the foundation of few words. Some define it as ‘organised sounds’ while others relate it as ‘combining of vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.’ Each culture has their own way of understanding music and its branches. Indian music varies from classical to folk, from Indian rock to Indian pop and from filmi to fusion music. When we throw a glance at our history and culture, we will observe that music has always been a part in weddings, birthdays, festivals and traditions. Music not only involves the rhythm flow of sounds; it also includes use of different musical devices to make those sound warm and enticing. Advaith School in Hosur encourages students to learn musical instruments such as piano, guitar, violin, drums and others.
Various neuroscience research has suggested that each individual has a specific ‘learning biography’ which is reflected in a way the brain process information. Consistent engagement with music has paramount impact on the structure and functioning of brain. It helps in developing our fine motor skills, emotional sensitivity, memory and conception of relationship between written materials and sounds produced. Musical training sharpens our listening and aural skills when our mind processes sounds, rhythm and tune involved in composing bewitching melodies. Our brain power magnifies when we train our mind to play instruments like guitar, piano and drums. Learning a musical instrument requires discipline, concentration, perseverance and dedication. It helps to regulate emotions, develops speech recognition and cognitive skills. Music plays a vital role in raising phonological awareness among young learners, thus developing their verbal auditory skills.
Advaith International Academy understands the positive impact teaching music has on the functioning and progress of juvenile brain. Advaith takes pride in putting itself at a higher pedestal for constantly working and changing to accommodate the changing policies in education system. Advaith understood long back that we our age-old approach to limit education to science and mathematics has become outdated and needs a complete overhaul. We believe creativity should be allowed to run free like a wild horse with no blinkers. Music ignite a spark in our mind and relieve our stress, giving it freedom to learn and develop intellectually. There are various intervention studies that has shown the impact of music on IQ scores, particularly on elements related to spatial reasoning. The studies show that the longer the training is, the more impact it has. Advaith’s curriculum is broadly based including activities related to pitch and rhythm, singing, instrumental work, composition and improvisation, and the reading of notation.
Music training helps student develop their personality by making them goal-oriented, focused, conscientiousness and highly motivated. Advaith keeps its students engaged in extra-curriculum activities, thus creating a positive attitude towards school, education and better attendance. Research with young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) has indicated that participants’ self-confidence and aspirations are enhanced following active engagement with making music. Outcomes include increased motivation to engage in education, employment, or voluntary activity including gaining qualifications, heightened aspirations, and a more positive attitude towards learning. Participants also develop a range of transferable skills.
When students start performing with musical instruments like guitar, piano and drums, they get multiple opportunities to bond socially and culturally. When you listen to different genre of music, you start respecting diverse cultures and traditions. Making music in group helps to contribute to the feeling of social inclusion. Students feel more involved and part of the society rather than outcasts. It exposes their mind to wider cultural experience, explore new ideas, places and perspectives and promote social solidarity. Collective music making supports co-operation, pro-social behaviour, belongingness, relationships, collaborative learning, social advancement, group identity, solidarity, taking turns, teamwork and helping others. Students learn to overcome resentment and bitterness, and appreciate others’ hard work, thus showing team spirit and sportsmanship.
Musicians tend to have higher emotional intelligence which increases the development of their empathy and emotional sensitivity. Music has shown effective improvement in emotional well-being, increased sense of self-worth, enhanced social skills and wider social networks. It leads to a feeling of accomplishment, strengthened determination and persistence. It equips students better to cope with anger and express their emotions more effectively. Music also have benefits in terms of discipline, time management, relaxation, coping with difficulties, communication, and the ability to work with others. It brings out the leadership qualities that are there in every student by improving their negotiation skills and co-operative working. Music has a very positive impact on building self-esteem and self-confidence. There is substantial evidence of the critical role music plays in student’s lives. Music generate feeling of wellbeing, facilitates balancing difficult emotions and regulates emotions and moods. Advaith believes that an emotionally well balanced and socially responsible student is a better citizen than a pedantic scholar. This can be achieved only by allowing the students learn about their hidden talent and presenting it confidently to their audience.