A new report examines which students are accessing extra-curricular activities and the long-term outcomes of students who do participate.
Category: Adults
A lifetime of being musical may improve our brain health [England, 2024, 1,107 participants, 3 years]
A new study by the University of Exeter has found a connection between brain health in old age and playing a musical instrument.
Playing an instrument could improve long-term cognitive ability [Scotland, 366 adults]
A study of older adults who’d taken part in cognitive ability assessments, indicates that people with more experience of playing a musical instrument were likely to show greater gains in cognitive ability.
Long-term vocal and piano training improves brain connectivity (Taiwan study)
A study published in Human Brain Mapping suggests that long-term vocal and piano training can improve white matter plasticity in emotion and language networks, and strengthen connections among emotion-related regions of the brain. Vocal training in particular reshaped the vocal motor control, sensory feedback, and language processing networks.
Small study shows link between playing the piano, processing information, and mood
A new study by the University of Bath shows that learning to play the piano can improve the brain’s ability to process sights and sounds, and can help to improve mood.
Rhythm, dyslexia and reading training
Researchers in Italy find that students diagnosed with Developmental Dyslexia (DD) scored high in rhythmic abilities, as measured by rhythmic pattern discrimination tests.
Even minimal creative activity, like making music, boosts wellbeing
A three-part study, commissioned by BBC Arts, of nearly 49,000 people found that regardless of skill level, taking part in creative activities like making music helps people manage their emotions, build confidence and explore solutions to problems.
Music for Education & Wellbeing Podcast: Advocating for music education – with Jimmy Rotheram, primary school music teacher
In this new podcast, Anita Holford, co-editor of Music Education Works, is talking with Jimmy Rotheram of Feversham Primary in Bradford.
Music for Education & Wellbeing Podcast: The role of freelancers in the arts and music sector – with Ruth Jones, youth arts specialist
In this new podcast, Anita Holford, co-editor of Music Education Works, is talking with Ruth Jones about the role of freelancers in the arts and music sector.
Musical training could improve executive function
The results of a new study in the USA suggests that musical training can improve a person’s ability to solve problems and think in an abstract way.
Musicians have better memories than non-musicians
A new meta-study by the University of Padua in northern Italy has found that musicians have better memories than non-musicians.
Music training in late childhood aids cognitive development
New research by the University of Texas-Austin finds an advantage in starting music lessons in late childhood.