Music Education Works

Arts participation helps with social and emotional skills

A review of 18 peer-reviewed studies about arts participation, published between 2000 and 2015, adds to the growing evidence about how arts participation helps young children – in particular those with autism – to develop strong social and emotional skills. The report was published by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in Washington DC, USA in December 2015.

What if … every child had access to music education

Another powerful presentation from academic Anita Collins, asking what the impact might be if a generation’s cognitive abilities are raised – and she gives evidence that it’s possible – through music education. To view the video, click anywhere on this excerpt …

Music could help close achievement gap between poor and affluent students

A study by Northwestern University researchers looked at the impact of music education on at-risk children’s nervous systems and found that music lessons could help them develop language and reading skills.

The researchers spent two summers with children from poor neighbourhoods in Los Angeles who were receiving music lessons through the Harmony Project, a non-profit organisation providing free music education to low income students. Click anywhere to read more …

New research provides powerful evidence that every child should have the right to access music

April 5, 2019 anitanee

The recently launched ‘Sounds of Intent in the Early Years’ research report provides powerful evidence that every child should have the right to access music.

Music for education & wellbeing podcast image

Music for education & wellbeing podcast: Dr Anita Collins on music & the brain

March 26, 2019 anitanee

A new podcast by Anita Holford, co-editor of Music Education Works, features Australian music educator and researcher, Dr Anita Collins. You may know Anita from her TED Ed lesson, How playing an instrument benefits your brain, and her TEDx talk, What if every child had access to music education from birth? And more recently, she’s starred in the Australian version of a British TV show, ‘Don’t Stop the Music’.

Ensemble music programmes have positive effects on character, competence and caring

February 6, 2019 anitanee

A study has found that ensemble-based musical instruction in an after school programme has positive effects on the behaviour and development of school-aged children.

Music is a powerful contributor to young people’s wellbeing in England

February 1, 2019 anitanee

A new research report by Youth Music of young people in England, shows that music is essential to their lives, significantly improving their wellbeing.

Don’t stop the music – Australian TV series featuring Anita Collins

January 30, 2019 anitanee

‘Don’t Stop the Music’ an Australian TV series looks at the value of music education with Dr Anita Collins, and follows the progress of Guy Sebastian and James Morrison as they mentor disadvantaged children in Perth, Australia.

Advocacy – music in schools latest news & campaigns

January 25, 2019 anitanee

This post featuring the latest news and reports on music education and music education advocacy will be updated each time we add news and campaigns about music in schools. This page focuses on the UK – international pages to follow. Please comment below if there’s anything you think we need to add.

Music also matters in the real world

January 23, 2019 anitanee

Edward R Howe, associate professor at Thompson Rivers University in British Colombia, Canada, asks what can be done to support and encourage music education for all?

A longitudinal study of the impact of the arts including music – NELS:88

December 30, 2018 anitanee

At the Music Mark conference in the UK in November 2018, Susan Aykin, National Lead for Visual and Performing Arts at Ofsted (the English government’s education