Why Music?
Added to website 06/01/2025.
Why Music? from Wiltshire Music Connect, provides a range of resources to explain why music matters to children and young people.
Most people know that music is a ‘good thing’. Research proves again and again that it is so important to children and young people’s lives and futures.
Why? Because music education…
- increases confidence and self-esteem – which has a knock-on effect in all areas of their life and learning
- improves health and wellbeing – reducing stress, increasing a sense of wellbeing and happiness
- provides important life and social skills – such as listening, concentration, working as a team
- develops creativity and self-expression – helping young people to think differently and develop their power of imagination
- improves cognition, literacy and numeracy – recent neuroscience research has shown that children who learn an instrument have higher levels of cognitive capacity, specifically in their language acquisition and numerical problem-solving skills
- can be the key to unlocking potential – particularly for young people who are strongly creative, or who struggle to engage with other areas of learning
Why Music? provides a range of reosurces to explain why music matters to children and young people.
Why Music in Your School?
For schools
What if a large number of scientific studies had found that there was one activity that could improve our cognitive function, help our memory systems to work, help us to learn language, help us to moderate our emotional states, help us to solve complex problems and help our brains to be healthier into later life. What if that activity is music? Find out more in this leaflet about the many benefits of learning music.
Why Music in Your Phonics Teaching Toolkit?
For primary school teachers and headteachers
It is well documented that musical activity can help to promote many aspects of literacy learning. Many early years and key stage 1 teachers use songs, rhymes and actions to support their phonics teaching. Find out more in this leaflet with some activites you can try in the classroom.
Why Assess Progress in Music?
For schools
The key purpose of assessment is to check whether your music curriculum is working. Assessment that does not do this should be avoided. This guide provides our top tips for schools when considering assessment and tracking progress
in music.
Why Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Music?
For teachers
Regardless of their background and diverse needs, all children should have the opportunity to fully participate in music lessons and activities at school. Teachers should consider how they can enable all children to take part in music-making, as well as identifying and addressing potential barriers which may prevent a child from being involved in music. This leaflet offers suggestions to help teachers focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Why it Matters to Find the Right Music Tutor
For parents and carers
As a parent or carer, you’ll know that finding the right tutor could make all the difference to your child’s enjoyment and achievement in music. But where do you start? We’ve got a few tips for you in this leaflet!
Why Music Matters in the Transition to Secondary School
For teachers
Moving from primary to secondary school is a new adventure for your pupils and their parents or carers. Sadly, it’s at this stage that some young people drop out of music lessons – and once they do, they may never return. That’s something they may regret for a lifetime. This leaflet offers suggestions to help teachers offer the smoothest primary to secondary transition for their students.
Why Music Matters in the Transition to Secondary School
For parents and carers of young people in year 6
Moving from primary to secondary school is a new adventure. There’s a lot to think about: from uniform, to friendships, to new routines. Music lessons may be the last thing on your mind. Sadly, it’s at this stage that some young people drop out of music lessons – and once they do, they may never return. That’s something they may regret for a lifetime. This leaflet offers suggestions to help parents and carers during this time of transition.
Why Music at Key Stage 4?
For young people, parents and carers
Watch this short aminated film which provides information for young people and their families about the benefits of choosing to study Music at key stage 4.
Why Music at GCSE?
For parents and carers
Students are more likely to succeed and achieve a higher grade if they study something they are good at, and enjoy. Music will provide transferable skills and both employers and universities see creative subjects as assets. Read this leaflet to find out more, and learn about what’s involved in GCSE music.
Why a BTEC Award in Music?
For parents and carers
Having a strong passion for music fuels a student’s motivation to perform to a higher level. Their genuine love of a subject makes lessons more enjoyable, consequently raising their aspirations and future prospects. There are so many other why your child might benefit from pursuing a BTEC Award. Read this leaflet to find out more.
Why Music at A-level?
For parents and carers
If your child has a passion for a subject, they’re much more likely to enjoy their study and be motivated to revise and practise. There are so many reasons why they’ll benefit from studying music. Read this leaflet to find out more, and learn about what’s involved in A-level music.
Why a Vocational qualification in Music?
For parents and carers
Having a strong passion for music fuels a student’s motivation to perform to a higher level. Their genuine love of a subject makes lessons more enjoyable, consequently raising their aspirations and future prospects. The ability to study a creative subject part time alongside other less practical subjects also enhances their offer to prospective employers or further education. This leaflet will help you to learn about what’s involved in a vocational music qualification at sixth form or college.
Why a Career in Music?
For young people, parents and carers
If you love music, there are all sorts of ways you can make a living from it – whether that’s full or part-time. Most musicians know that getting a record deal isn’t the only route into the industry. Instead, they earn money in a variety of ways. And if you don’t want to be a musician, there are many other options you could consider. In fact, it’s likely that you’ll end up doing several of these things, in what’s known as a ‘portfolio career’. You’ll find this leaflet packed with facts, figures, myth busting and suggestions for where to find out more.
About the Provider
Wiltshire Music Connect
Wiltshire Music Connect was the Music Education Hub for Wiltshire until 2024 when it closed following the Music Hub Investment Programme. Wiltshire Music Connect pushed boundaries in music education, working to make music education fair, future-facing and sustainable.
