Is there a correlation between music and higher grades?

Question

I just need some information about a paper I'm doing. I'm trying to prove that general music classes should be required at a young age (K-8) because I've heard it makes you more open in learning. (You learn better) In my highschool, that was the case. The band students had higher GPA's compared to the other students. Does anyone know of any research that has proven this?

Answer 1

I did my master's thesis related to this topic.

It addressed musical ensemble participation at the college level and the impact on student GPA.

H1 - Participation in musical ensembles has an impact on the student GPA.
H2 - The number of ensembles participated in has an impact on student GPA.
H3 - Participation in marching band results in a reduction of GPA in the semester of participation.

H1 was not supported. There is no correlation to music ensemble participation (at the college level) and GPA. (this conclusion considered only musicians - not general population; it means that if a musician is not in band for a semester, the GPA doesn't change.) Note though - participants in musical ensembles had a mean GPA a full 1 point higher than the general student population. This supports your hypothesis at the collegiate level. Music people had a mean GPA over 3.5 while the general population mean was around 2.5.

H2 was partially supported. As the number of ensembles increases, the student GPA falls. Until the number of ensembles per year exceeds 10, then the GPA increases dramatically.

H3 was not supported. Participation in marching band had no effect on GPA in the semester of participation. Determined by considering semester GPA of fall and spring semesters of students who participated in marching band.

You may contact me for a copy of the research if you'd like.

Answer 2

Sounds like an excellent question for you to do a survey.

Survey 100 kids at random and ask them these questions. Use the non-music kids to compare to the music kids.

Answer 3

I have heard of a study on infants where classical music enhances their desire to learn. Even during pregnancies, the exposure to music enables the infant to develop better!