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Why Is Music Education Important?

At Education Through Music, we believe that every child, at every school, deserves access to high-quality music education. It is part of a well-rounded education, essential for students’ social and emotional well-being, and a critical tool for establishing equity and access.

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To learn more about the importance of music education, listen here to ETM staff speaking about the value of music education and its impact on students’ lives.

Well-Rounded Education

Music education is part of a well-rounded education for all children as understood and supported by federal and state policymakers.

Click here or scroll down to learn more about Well-Rounded Education.

Social and Emotional Well-Being

Music education supports students’ social and emotional well-being.

Click here or scroll down to learn more about Social and Emotional Well-being.

Equity and Access

Our organization exists because systemic racism has created inequities in access to education. We strive to help level the playing field for children from under-resourced communities by ensuring that all children have access to high-quality music education, no matter their background or circumstance.

Click here or scroll down to learn more about Equity and Access.

Well-Rounded Education

  • According to the Every Student Succeeds Act, music is an essential component of a well-rounded education.
  • 88% of families agree it is important that their child’s school has a music program. 
  • Quality general music education has been linked with the development of self-control, planning, and verbal intelligence: the life skills students need to make decisions, focus, plan, problem-solve, and juggle multiple tasks. It also fosters a motivation to learn music. (from Longitudinal Analysis of Music Education on Executive Functions in Primary School Children)


“I don’t think education is complete without music.”
– ETM Partner School Principal

“Without music, I feel a piece of me is missing.”
– ETM Partner School Student

Social and Emotional Well-Being

  • 70% of parents whose children attend ETM partner schools agree that learning music helps their child’s social development.
  • 85% of ensemble students say they have made at least one new friend through ensemble.
  • 79% of students say their music teacher or ensemble director cares about them as a person.
  • 72% of students say their music teacher or ensemble director is someone they can go to if they need help with something.


“Music does help me a lot, and it’s helped me get through some really difficult times.”
– ETM Partner School Student

“It’s empowering. It gives you a strength that no other activity can give you.”
– ETM Partner School Student

Equity and Access

  • 40% of students in new partner schools report they have never before had a general music class
  • 79% of families say it would be difficult for them to pay for private music lessons without a school music program
  • 85% of ETM partner public schools’ student population comes from low-income households


“I think the music program is just excellent. My child loves the music class she is in because she knows many schools don’t have music in their area.”
– ETM Partner School Parent

“ETM offers schools in low-income neighborhoods the opportunity for a quality music education and instrumental program.”
– ETM Partner School Principal

All data is from our 2018 Impact Report unless otherwise indicated.