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Valuing music education

NZSO at Te Papa  |  Programme  |  Student interviews  |  Issues for parents  | Valuing music education |  Evaluation & reflection

If more school administrators were tuned into brain research, music would be a daily requirement.

Newsweek, 19 February 1997

Music is one of the most powerful and profound symbol systems that exists. It lies at the core of every culture. The study of music helps us to better understand our own nature, and the nature of humankind.

Music provides an outlet for our creativity and self-expression. Not only that...

Music education enables all students to contribute to the cultural life of their schools, families, and communities through making and sharing music. It also makes available to students a wide range of future opportunities in arts-related employment.

The Arts in the New Zealand curriculum, page 53

Percussion tutor Andreas Lepper believes there are four main ways we can promote the importance of music to young people. We can:

  • provide them with plenty of exposure to real-life musicians
  • take them to concerts
  • make sure that there is music played at home
  • give children plenty of choice of instruments to learn.

Live music for all from NZSO

The NZSO recognises that community education programmes are very important, and that music communities in New Zealand are have diverse needs. For example, within every community there are:

  • parents who take children to music lessons
  • students who study music
  • their music teachers
  • families who listen to the students perform
  • people who derive pleasure from listening to music, without taking part.

The NZSO offers extensive education and outreach programmes, including:

  • groups of musicians performing concerts in primary schools and special needs schools throughout New Zealand
  • opportunities for students to play with the NZSO
  • family concerts
  • tutoring of youth orchestra members
  • administration of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra.
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