If you’re in middle or high school and considering joining the school band, please review the follow 15 benefits of participating in the school band. Making music with a group of other music lovers can, and will, change your life for the better!
1 – Belonging and Connection
Everyone longs for connection with others and wants to belong to something greater than themselves. For students — and especially for middle schoolers — making those vital connections can be challenging.
The school band is a unique way to bring together students who share the same interest in music. Joining the school band makes it possible for students to thrive with meaningful connections by:
- Giving natural introverts a safe place to “come out of their shells.”
- Engaging with others who have musical interests.
- Providing a place to build friendships.
- Being a part of a close-knit group.
Music has an amazing way of connecting people. You’ve likely experienced it yourself on some level. And if you were ever part of a school band, you can probably testify to the family atmosphere, may have fond memories of those days, and may even still enjoy lifelong friendships with other former band members.
2 – Leadership
School bands, even those of modest size, involve a group of people working together for the same goal. Succeeding in that goal is often due to various leadership roles.
As the ultimate leader, the best band directors look for student leaders to aid them in their roles and foster an atmosphere of camaraderie and healthy competition.
As students excel in the group setting of a band, they may have opportunities to act as leaders for their instrumental sections or even as drum majors or conductors. Older students always have an opportunity to help lead the younger ones.
3 – Teamwork
Since making music as part of a school band is a collaborative effort, it gives students an excellent opportunity to learn how to work as a team toward a common goal.
Of course, there are opportunities to play solos in a school band, but a majority of the music is played by working together, listening to one another, and responding to everyone’s playing to create a unified sound and rhythm.
Because everything you do affects what others do and the sound of the whole group, student musicians learn patience, responsibility, and endurance as members of the band.
When the band works together as a unified team, there’s no boundary to the beautiful music they can produce.
4 – Creativity and Self-Expression
The fact that a student is interested in the arts hints at the creative abilities that may be innate in them. On top of that, studying music and playing an instrument in the band can further spur on their creative juices and provide more creative outlets.
Participating in the school band can also nurture creativity and self-expression by:
- Creating beauty
- Teaching artistic skills
- Providing an outlet beyond athletics
- Providing a musical foundation
- Expressing emotions through music
- Learning to solve problems by thinking outside the box
- importance of band in school
5 – Cognitive Development
Because making music requires multitasking and keeping up with several things at once, band musicians get lots of opportunities to activate cognitive activities.
Musicians engage their mental capabilities when they do the following — all at the same time:
- Read music
- Play with the correct and often changing tempo
- Keep rhythm
- Adjust the pitch to be in tune
- Listen to the other instruments
- Watch the conductor and follow his instructions
Musical training is also known to develop the left side of the brain — the part of the brain associated with reasoning and language.
Additionally, a 2003 study performed by Christian Gaser and Gottfried Schlaug showed a noticeable difference in the amount of grey matter — the part of the brain involved in muscle control and sensory perception — in the brains of musicians and non-musicians.
6 – Socialization
Playing in the school band gives students an abundance of socialization time. Whether it’s during band rehearsal, a concert, or other special events like playing at football games or in a parade, playing in a band means time well spent with other students and friends.
For students who are more quiet and introverted, being in the band gives them an excellent opportunity to connect with others who share their interests in a non-threatening and comfortable environment.
7 – Time Management
Being a part of a school band may involve setting aside time for at-home practice, after-school practice, and concerts.
Student musicians practice mastering time management by learning how to fit all those activities into their school, family, and extracurricular schedules.
8 – Life Skills
Many skills students acquire by being in the school band also translate to important life skills used as they continue to grow and mature.
Some of these skills include:
- Superior communication skills
- Relational strength and connections
- Striving for excellence
- Emotional intelligence
- Discipline
- Ability to work as a productive team member
- Responsibility
- Persistence
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Work ethic
- Cooperation
9: Balance
Without a doubt, academics are important and should be a priority for every student. But when academics become the only focus, students can become overwhelmed and consumed.
Being involved in the school band can help add balance to life at school, where academic performance can be heavily emphasized.
For those who may not excel academically, playing in the band gives them another area to succeed. Because the school band joins together physical activity, math, and science, it’s a great way to balance education and creative output.
The school band is also a way to serve a variety of students. Students with different abilities and interests — athletics, singing, drama — can join together doing one thing they all enjoy.
10 – Performance Opportunities
Those who take private music lessons on their chosen instrument may have limited opportunities to perform — usually at a recital or two throughout the year.
In addition to regular band practice at school, musicians who are part of the school band will have many performance opportunities to play in concerts and other events. They may even get some solo opportunities!
If you’re currently playing in the school band and want to hone your musical skills, lessons with a personal instructor can help. The team at Northwest School of Music provides lessons for students playing woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Let us help you polish school band solos so you can shine during performances.
11 – Enhanced Academic Performance
It’s true. Students who have been involved in the arts — particularly music performance groups — score higher on SAT scores than their non-arts peers.
According to a report from the College Board, “Students who took four years of arts and music classes while in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less.”
Additionally, students who were involved in art and music classes for four years scored an average of 61 points higher on the writing portion of the test than those who were in music or art classes for one-half year or less.
12 – Discipline and Perseverance
Band gives students a unique opportunity to practice responsibility, discipline, and perseverance.
Whether you play in a band, small ensemble, or just play on your own, making music (and mastering it) takes lots of discipline and perseverance to practice — and keep practicing regularly.
Not only do band musicians need to practice at regular rehearsals, they will need the discipline to set aside time to practice at home. And don’t forget about the concerts on the schedule and setting aside time to participate in those.
13 – Music Appreciation
As a part of a band, members will get to play all sorts of music styles and will likely get some music theory and music history thrown in from time to time with the conductor’s instruction.
Most bands include a mixture of music styles, from classical to jazz to popular songs and movie soundtracks. Band musicians may also play music from other cultures and seasonal music, like music played for a Christmas concert.
14 – Relaxation and Lower Stress
The fact that music can help people relax and de-stress should be no secret. Think about your own experience. How often do you listen to music to unwind from a busy day or to drift off to sleep?
Studies show that playing an instrument can lower cortisol levels, which can lead to a decrease in anxiety levels.
Playing an instrument in the band can help with relaxation and stress because it:
Involves mindfulness, which keeps your mind focused on the present activity (playing music) rather than other stressors.
Means musicians need to focus on their breathing and posture, which can calm the mind and body.
Means we spend less time on screens and digital technology and find ways to unwind without the constant technological barrage.
Involves being with people in a social setting and connecting over a shared interest.
15 – Self-Confidence
Who hasn’t felt that sense of pride and confidence when accomplishing something challenging you’ve set out to do?
Playing an instrument as a band musician can boost self-confidence as you work toward a goal and reach it.
Maybe you’ve worked on a difficult flute passage in your band’s rendition of Leroy Anderson’s The Irish Washerwoman. Finally playing all those quick-moving notes perfectly is certainly worth celebrating.
Improving your musical abilities, performing for audiences, and growing in communication skills are all ways playing in the school band can instill pride and raise self-confidence.