Impact of General Music Education

SUMMARY

Existing Knowledge:

• Music education supports cognitive and socio-emotional development, including executive functioning, self-perception, and school engagement.

• Prior studies suggest instrumental music training may improve cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control.

• Music interventions are believed to enhance self-esteem, school liking, and social belonging.

New Insights from this Study:

• Increased time in general music classes (up to seven times more) did not significantly improve executive functioning, self-perception, or school liking in kindergarteners.

• Both treatment and control groups showed comparable results, suggesting no clear extra-musical benefits from extended general music instruction.

• This randomized controlled trial emphasizes the importance of nuanced research designs to avoid overgeneralizing the benefits of music education.

Putting Research into Practice:

1. Enhanced Research Frameworks:

• Prioritize randomized controlled trials to determine causal effects of music education.

• Differentiate the impact of instrumental vs. general music programs for targeted outcomes.

• Include long-term follow-ups to assess delayed benefits of music interventions.

2. Curriculum Development:

• Incorporate varied activities like singing, rhythm exercises, and basic instrumental training to maximize potential benefits.

• Focus on intrinsic musical goals rather than extra-musical outcomes to sustain interest and engagement.

• Balance general music with other educational approaches to support holistic development.

3. Community and Advocacy:

• Promote music education for its intrinsic value, irrespective of cognitive transfer effects.

• Educate stakeholders about realistic expectations from music programs.

• Explore music as a tool to foster enjoyment and creativity in early education.

Reference:
Hogan, J., Cordes, S., Holochwost, S., Ryu, E., & Winner, E. (2017). Is more time in general music class associated with stronger extra-musical outcomes in kindergarten? Early Childhood Research Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2017.12.004

Cite/Refer this summary: Ross, E. M. and Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Impact of General Music Education. Excellent Educator, 2(3), 6.