MATHEMATICS SKILLS: Certain types of music instruction help develop the capacity for spatial temporal reasoning, which is integral to the acquisition of important mathematics skills. Spatial temporal reasoning refers to the ability to understand the relationship of ideas and objects in space and time.

READING AND LANGUAGE SKILLS: Music instruction enhances and complements basic reading skills, language development and writing skills. The study of music provides a context for teaching language skills because music is a language and a powerful form of communication.

THINKING SKILLS: Reasoning ability, intuition, perception, imagination, inventiveness, creativity, problem-solving skills and expression are among the thought processes developed through the study of music.

SOCIAL SKILLS: Music education promotes growth in positive social skills including self-confidence, self-control, conflict resolution, collaboration, empathy and social tolerance.

MOTIVATION TO LEARN: Music nurtures a motivation to learn by emphasizing active engagement, disciplined and sustained attention, persistence and risk taking, among other competencies.

Source: Ruppert, Sandra S.: Critical Evidence – How the ARTS Benefit Student Achievement. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, 2006.