Research shows that music for most people plays an important role in in their daily lives whether they are consciously aware of it or not. It is heard in advertising, film, radio, television and at most sporting events. Data also shows that 75 percent of people listen to music for at least an hour each day and is a pleasurable experience whether they listen to it intently or participate in the making of music. It is also the emotional experience that listeners crave when engaging with music. This is largely because it can excite, entertain and emotionally move people more than other stimuli. The reaction usually is spontaneous and can change our mood and enhance our wellbeing.
The research literature shows that music has been found to enhance the quality of our personal life experiences and personal relationships. For many people it is part of their personal and social identity. When I was researching the meaning of music in people’s lives one respondent described music as ‘the social glue that brings us together’. This is evident in terms of our social events, personal interactions, and ability to help us express ourselves to others where words often fail us. This is because it has the potential to express aspects of our daily lives and reflect patterns of human relations that are inseparable to our expression of human experience. The scope for understanding the healing nature of music has also been studied and documented and been found to be capable of altering to some degree the perception of pain, help reduce stress and tension and enhance relaxation. We see this everyday where music is used in clinical practices where people are made to feel more comfortable and less anxious when attending medical consultations.
The renowned Australia music educator Dr Richard Gill constantly reminded politicians and education administrators that ‘every child should have access to music taught by trained musicians.’ This is because music is an abstract experience which evokes, suggests, implies and ultimately opens up the creative and developing mind. From inner hearing to developing singing and aural skills, students move from creating music to recreating, composing, expressing and communicating. In other words, through music they become literate by hearing, singing, reading, writing, analyzing, imitating and creating. As Gill also stated, the core value of music education is that it ‘opens a child’s mind in a special way through creative thought which then transfers to all other areas of learning in spectacular ways that empower them’. At a personal level it has the capacity to help facilitate self- esteem and confidence. The comedienne Margaret Cho often stated that a person without self-esteem does not dream a future. These are only some of the many reasons why music is invaluable and necessary in all our lives.
Dr Terrence Hays
Chair of the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium Board
Musician, Academic, Researcher, Pedagogy Specialist and Churchill Fellow
