We want to wish all of our readers a Happy July 4th! Remember to start your day right by listening to Classical music which has the power to improve your mood, make you smarter, help you work faster with more accuracy, improves health and healing, grows healthier plants in fewer days, increases sales in stores, soothes your mind and preventing crime. If school cafeterias and school buses played Classical Music, the students would be calmer and more focused without violent tendencies. Studying music is making a difference in the lives of top graduates across the country. June was graduation month for high schools, colleges and universities throughout the United States. Our amazing 2009 high school seniors are scholars and musicians.
If anyone has an experience they would like to share with our readers on the benefits of classical music please send it and it will be include it in the August 2009 newsletter
Question of the Month:
Can you name a great American who has brought free Classical music concerts to over 3 million people in New York City beginning in 1954?
Internationally celebrated American Conductor, Maestro Vincent La Selva, conductor of symphonic and opera music was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Sep. 17, 1929. He playing the trumpet at 8 and at 12 conducted student productions. He trained at the Juilliard School and has been on the faculty since 1969 teaching courses in symphonic and operatic conducting. In 1954 Maestro La Selva founded “the all volunteer Xavier Symphony Society” offering “free symphonic concerts and opera at St. Francis Xavier High School on West 16 Street”.
Maestro La Selva founded “the New York Grand Opera Company in 1973.”His opera company”is unique in the world for presenting fully-staged grand opera productions that are free to the public. Since 1974, Maestro La Selva has chosen New York’s Central Park and outlying boroughs for his grand opera productions, which, over the years, have been attended by a total of more than three million people.”
Maestro La Selva is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of New York Grand Opera Company and on a summer’s night 10,000 -15,000 people will attend each of his opera performances in New York’s Central Park. Maestro La Selva has shared his passion for symphonic and opera music with the public in New York City for over 55 years educating over 3 million people to the power and beauty of Classical music.
He began conducting full time at New York City Opera in 1965 and “was appointed Music Director of the Greater Trenton Symphony” in 1966 and “conducted the New Jersey Symphony, the Symphony of the Air, the Juilliard Symphony, Brno State Philharmonic in the Czech Republic and the Bern Symphony in Switzerland” with which he has a new prize winning CD of Verdi: Complete Overtures. Classical music station WQXR has called this disk the “Hot Pick of the Week” and said that “La Selva clearly owns this repertoire” and regard him as “the greatest conductor of Verdi in the world today.” Newsweek said, La Selva is “One of the most exciting interpreters now before the public..a conductor ..in the Toscanini tradition.”
He has conducted the following well known soloists and singers: Leonard Rose, Peter Serkin, Zinka Milanov, Rudolf Firkusny, Murray Perahia, and Ruggiero Ricci. At the Opera Company of Boston in performances of “La Bohème” with Placido Domingo and Renata Tebaldi and with many “regional companies with casts including Licia Albanese, Franco Corelli, Mirella Freni, Sherrill Milnes, and Samuel Ramey.”
He has been awarded the following awards for his work: The President of Italy in 1995 “knighted Maestro La Selva as a “Cavaliere” in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his distinguished service to Italian music.” In 1994 he was awarded “the Handel Medallion for his contributions to the cultural life of New York City” and in October 2001 he received the “Governor’s Award for Excellence.”
Madeline’s Musical One Minute Radio Show for July 2009.
Maestro La Selva what have your New York Grand Opera performances in New York’s Central Park meant to you and what is the hardest part of presenting these fully staged operas? Click for this months One Minute Radio Show for July 2009
“Support Benefits School Music” (May 12, 2009) by Karen Utley from the Statesmanjournal.com. “Ours is a community where 9-year-olds learn the violin in elementary classrooms; where fifth-graders with trombones and trumpets gather in middle-school band rooms before school every day; where high school students get up at dawn to rehearse with jazz ensembles. The accomplishments of these student musicians should be familiar to anyone who reads the newspaper: numerous Grammy Awards, invitations to international music festivals, regular qualification and triumph at state-level competitions — one high school band has placed first at state every year since 2003. .. Salem-Keizer’s vibrant and successful school music programs attract talent and brains. Music teachers are frequently honored with “best teacher” awards; high school musicians and ensembles regularly place on academic all-star lists, such as the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All-state Awards. In fact, one Salem school’s band, orchestra and choir recently swept first place on that list.” Learning to play musical instruments in this school system has made a difference in the quality of the education for the students at Salem- Keizer. Karen Utley, Columnist, is the mother of 8 children.
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090512/COLUMN0202/905120314/1069/OPINION
“Pride of Reading Nomination for Andrew Taylor” (May 13, 2009) by Linda Fort from the Reading Evening Post, Reading, England, U.K. Seven and a half years ago, when Andrew Taylor was 23, he and his friends decided to start the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra with 30 players. Mr. Taylor “has been conducting the charity-run orchestra” and its membership now has 70 musicians. Barbara Taylor, not related to Andrew Taylor, says he “brought classical music to Sonning Lane, where the orchestra rehearses. Lots of local people take part in the orchestra and it uses classical music to encourage local children to take up instruments.”
When Mr. Taylor established the orchestra he said, “It was to fill a niche for young people who had learned to play instruments earlier in life but were now working and too busy to attend regular weekly orchestra rehearsals. This is for people who can’t commit to regular week night because of pressure of work and other things. The orchestra worked to explode the myths that classical music was for older people, rich people or highly educated people.” He says free tickets are given out “to people going to their first concert, a chamber music group and an educational program for children. For his “second year in a row” he “has been nominated” for a Cultural Contribution award.
“Music Has the Power to Heal –So Why Is It Available Only to the Healthy?” (May 16, 2009) by Richard Morrison from the New York Times On Line, U.K. In the beginning of the 18th century William Congreve said, “Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast.” This was an echo “dating back at least as far as the Ancient Greek myth of Orpheus charming the gatekeepers of Hades with his lute — that music has special properties that can carry it into regions where words cannot go. But only now are neurologists, therapists and musicians starting to evaluate just how potent music can be, particularly in the lives of people who are traumatized or suffering from severe physical and mental illnesses.”
Dr. Oliver Sacks, noted neurologist and pianist, understands the value of music for helping to heal his patients and wrote about it in his book “Musicophilia”. Dr. Sacks, “looks.. at how the simple act of singing can transform the brain’s right hemisphere into an efficient linguistic organ when the left has been knocked out by a stroke; how rhythmic music can unlock the body movements of Parkinson’s sufferers by imposing an external beat on their frozen inner clocks; and how songs with autobiographical associations can revive submerged memories and a sense of self in dementia sufferers.” In the United Kingdom several charities have been working to bring music into sick children and adults lives to improve their quality of life through “utilizing the creative and therapeutic power of music.”
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6294812.ece
“Medical Musician: Deforia Lane” (May 2009) by Curt Whitacre from the University of Cincinnati Magazine. Trained as an opera singer, Deforia Lane is using her talent to heal others as a music therapist. She is the “director of the music therapy program at the University Hospital of Cleveland Ireland Cancer and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, where she uses the power of song to ease the mind, train the body, soothe the soul and ,above all, provide hope to those who need it most ( P.22).” She helped “deliver a premature baby from its brain-dead mother” by serenading the intrauterine baby. “Deforia Lane took a deep breath placed her hands on the mother’s belly and sang” the favorite song of the baby,’ He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands’. “In response, the unborn child began to dance under Lane’s fingers. The sheet moved. As the nurses monitored mother and child, they noticed that the baby’s heartbeat began to speed up as Lane sang faster…Doctors started to deliver the child via C-section, the young woman’s parents and caregivers gathered in her hospital room knowing full well that the birth of the baby would be the end of the mother.” In the hospital room she witnessed “Life inside of death.”
Ms. Lane says, “My love for music began in the small living room of my home in Dayton, where I heard the resonant singing of my father and was mesmerized by the exquisite piano playing of my mother.” She won a scholarship to the College-Conservatory of Music. She says, “CCM gave me wings to fly. It ushered the skinny legged girl of color into the splendid world of opera.” When she was diagnosed with breast cancer twenty years ago she was placed “on the receiving end of music therapy’s power.” She says, “Music was a constant reminder that I was more than the disease. I was also a musician, singer, a pianist, a teacher, a mentor.” She has used her gift of music to design music therapy “programs for the mentally handicapped, abused children, geriatric clients, behaviorally and psychiatrically disturbed adults, pediatric cancer patients and the terminally ill.” Because of her success she is “the country’s first music therapist to receive grant money to study music’s therapeutic effects on cancer patients.”
“Trace Honors Top Students: The Best and the Brightest” (May 12, 2009) by Rachel Morgan from theRecord Herald.com. “Miami Trace High School recognized its best and brightest at the Academic Booster Club Honors Recognition Ceremony Monday.” ABC President Scott Jenks says, “This club started four years ago. We saw a need to accent educational and behavioral excellence. I’m glad we can hold this banquet and recognize students that exceed academically throughout their years at Miami Trace.” Kevin Lavender one of the top ten seniors recognized his music teacher, Jay Garey as helping him on his way to academic excellence. Lavender said, “Music education is so much more than teaching music. It’s about teaching life skills, forming friendships.”
http://www.recordherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=1
&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=133310&TM=25517.05
“Academic Team Named” ( May 13, 2009) from the Marshall County Journal, Britton, S.D.
Ten high school seniors are top students for 2009 and are named in “The Britton Journal’s 12th annual All-Area Academic Team.” They are from the following high schools: Britton-Hecla, Langford, Sargent Central (Forman, ND), Roslyn, and Rosholt. Six of these high school seniors are scholars and musicians.
Carmen Allcock’s grade point average is a 3.889. She participated in the following activities during high school: “cross country, track, jazz choir, mixed chorus, concert and pep band, jazz band, all-school play, one-act play, Midwest Music Ambassadors, All-State Chorus, Girls’ State, and student council. Community activities include Methodist youth group and church choir, 4-H, melodrama, legislative page, and she went on a Mexico mission trip. She would like to be a doctor and may attend a college in Australia.”
Ross Loebs’s grade point average is a 3.9 GPA. His school “activities include choir, sophomore class president, and he was elected to student council his senior year. He is a registered healthcare provider and has been active with the North Marshall Fire Department helping with pancake feeds and various fundraisers. Loebs is a member of the Methodist/Presbyterian youth group and went on a mission trip to Mexico to help build homes… His future plans include attending the University of South Dakota” and majoring in for criminal justice.”
Josie Oakland’s grade point average is a 4.0. “She has been active in cross country, track, volleyball, basketball, boys’ basketball statistician, band, chorus, piano, school play, yearbook, oral interp, the Lake Region math team, student council, and was junior class president. Her community activities include Girl’s Scouts, Rosehill youth group, Awana helper, Sunday school teacher, and substitute church pianist. Oakland was a Wendy’s Heisman Top 10 finalist, Langford Student of the Month, Northeast Area Honor Band and All-State Chorus member, is a school record holder and track and cross country MVP, and homecoming and Langford Snow Queen. She plans to attend South Dakota State University this fall and major in athletic training with a specialty in pre-physical therapy.”
Cody Swanson’s grade point average is a 4.0. “He has been a leader in school activities, serving as president of choir, vice-president of band and student council, and held a lead role in the school musical production. Swanson is a Sunday School teacher and the music and Christmas program coordinator at his church, is a member of the church youth group, praise team, and choir, and vacation School coordinator. He is a two-time Honors Choir pick, was an All-State Chorus member for three years, a Boys’ State selection, Student of the Month, Lake Region Math Contest winner, LHS Principal Award and Best and Brightest winner, and was the winner of the local Snow Queen Talent competition three straight years. ..Future plans include attending Northern State University with a double major in music and math education.”
Luke Saunders grade point average is a 3.6 G.P.A. and is the Salutatorian of his class. He was “active in golf, basketball, football, and band, has also been involved in his church youth group, volunteers at community fundraisers, and mows a number of lots in the community”. He was also “a nine-man football All-Region honorable mention pick. .. He will attend North Dakota State University and major in engineering.”
Emily Luick’s grade point average is a 3.956 GPA. “She has been editor of the school newspaper and co-editor of the yearbook, president of the National Honor Society, kept stats for volleyball and girls’ basketball, and participated in band. Luick is a member of her church youth group and a volunteer at MASH, the after-school program. She ranked first in her class, is a Presidential Award for Education Excellence winner, and earned the Academic Excellence Award. The highlight of her prep career was receiving the Academic Excellence Award from Governor Mike Rounds at a luncheon in Pierre. Luick plans to attend the University of North Dakota and major in biology-pre-med.”
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20314068&
BRD=1971&PAG=461&dept_id=175429&rfi=6
“The Times-Call Presents the 2008-2009 All-Academic Team” (May 17, 2009) from The Longmont Times, Longmont and Northern Colorado. The best students in high school who are juniors in the following schools: “St. Vrain Valley School District, Alexander Dawson, Faith Baptist and Longmont Christian schools.”
Andy Forsberg, 16, is a scholar and a musician with a 3.88 GPA. He studies percussion with a professor at Colorado State University, “performs in Lyons’ jazz and concert bands, and has won seats on numerous honor bands. He offers free lessons to middle school students.” Forsberg says, “Music is always there for people, whether you are a soldier in Iraq and you have a song to remind you of your family, or you had a bad day at work and all you need to do is listen to your iPod to brighten the day up and unwind.” He plans to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, and attend the “University of Southern California for a master’s degree in film scoring.”
Jessica Searls, 17 is a scholar and musician with a GPA of 4.13. “She has been a member of the school’s Falconnaires and Allegro and Alpine Jazz choir, and she was part of this year’s All State Choir. She teaches piano to kindergartners and volunteers at music camps to teach younger children about piano and music.” Searls says, “I have always used music to express myself, but as I have gotten more committed and knowledgeable, I have used it to reach out to my community (and) friends and (used) it to enrich the lives the others,” She hopes “to double-major in music and Spanish at college, and minor in music therapy.”
Peter Stein, 16, is a scholar and a musician with a 4.17 GPA. “In addition to singing in several choirs, he studies theater and performed in five school productions. He participated in the Colorado All State Choir and the Northern League Honor Choir. He plays piano and drums, the latter with the Colorado Skye Pipes and Drums.” Stein says, “I doubt that I will ever write a piece of music that will be remembered with the Brandenburg concertos and ‘Clair de Lune.’ But by performing, I can still impact people.” He hopes “to study journalism, although he acknowledged that “with a changing economy and society, it’s difficult to tell which professions will even be around in the next 10 years.”
Katlyn Spendlow, 16, is a scholar and a musician with a GPA of 4.29 “She has a black belt in tae kwon do and teaches the martial art to children and adults. She tutors students for the ACT exam, as well. She also takes piano and voice lessons and performs in and builds sets for the school’s drama club.” Spendlow says, “I have learned many skills necessary to life from math. One of the biggest things I have learned is how to problem solve. … You must push past the frustration and hopelessness of having tried every way you know how and find a new method to solve the problem.” She “plans to double-major in engineering and musical theater.”
Zach Wechsler, 17, is a scholar and a musician with a GPA of 4.16. “He also received an A in macroeconomics from the Harvard Summer School for college credit. He has participated in sports, music and the community service club at the school. As a member of the varsity physics club, Wechsler was in charge of building the frame for a robot in a competition. Interested in architectural and mechanical applications, he plans to study engineering.” Wechsler says, “I would like to help build buildings that are cheaper, safe and more useful. … I also find cars very interesting, and I believe that I could use my knowledge of math to build cars that are much more energy efficient.”
Casey Anderson, 17, is a scholar and a musician with a GPA of 4.14. “He participates in the St. Vrain Valley School District’s student advisory committee, which advises the Board of Education; runs track and cross country; and plays the alto saxophone in jazz band. He interned at Sonora Medical Systems, which repairs components for magnetic-resonance imaging machines. Anderson expects to study computer or aerospace engineering.” Anderson says, “You can hardly go anywhere these days without seeing some type of computer. Many people take for granted that computers are so powerful yet small. … But through my continued science education, I hope to not only understand how computers work, but also help develop future computers.”
Spencer Arrasmith, 17, is a scholar and musician with a GPA of 4.25. “He plays French horn in marching band and, next year, will be drum major. Arrasmith volunteers in CLOUT, a science program for fourth- and fifth-grade students. He plans to attend college but has not yet chosen a major field of study.” Arrasmith says, “Science has always fascinated me because it gets me thinking in ways I haven’t thought of before. … Essentially, I really like breaking down and analyzing all the little things that we take for granted in life that are so much more scientifically elaborate than they appear at first glance.”
Kristin Dahlem , 17, a scholar and musician with a 4.1 GPA . “She plays flute in the school and Longmont Youth Symphony orchestras. A Girl Scout for 12 years, Dahlem earned the Silver Award, the organization’s highest honor. She volunteers at Rhythm on the River to educate people about recycling. She plans to study biology at Drake University in Des Moines, then attend medical school to become a physician.” Dahlem says, “Biology intrigues me and I love learning about life on the molecular level. … I also love studying different diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease or cancer, and the aspect of researching possible cures or treatments for these diseases.”
Andrea Pares, 17, a scholar and musician has a 4.1 GPA. “At school, she is involved in choir; theater; student senate; and Link Crew, which mentors freshmen. She also volunteers for Project South Africa, a group of students raising money to support a Kenyan college student, and various city events. Pares also was a judge for the 2008 election.” Pares says, “It definitely felt good being a part of something we talked so much about in school. I particularly love U.S. history because we learn about more than laws or wars. … We learn about people. … I always wonder how I would act if I were a live 40, 50 or even 100 years ago.” Nine of the twenty top Academic students in Colorado are also musicians and will be seniors in high school in September 2009 .
“Atascocita Class of 2009 Prepares for Graduation” (May 23, 2009) by Trilla Cook & Kathy Parks from the Tribune Newspapers of Humble, Texas. Of the top 10 graduates for Atascocita High School’s Class of 2009 five are scholars and musicians. “Valedictorian Kelsey Thompson plans to attend The University of Texas. Her activities at AHS included band, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Michelle Gregorywill attend the University of Texas – Austin to study biomedical engineering. She was active in band, National Honor Society and Confirmation Team. Jason Varndell plans to attend The University of Texas – Austin. His activities included the marching band, the Humble ISD Student Advisory Committee and four years as lifeguard/pool manager. Emily Lo plans to attend The University of Texas – Austin, McCombs School of Business, where she will study international business and linguistics. She was active in the State Science Olympiad, received the John Philip Sousa Music Award, and completed 14 years of Chinese school. Tamara Marie Dallefeld will study business at The University of Texas – Austin. Her activities at AHS included cheerleading, choir, National Charity League and she was a recipient of the Mary Issacks Award.”
http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=7466
“Mark Wildman Introduces the Royal Academy of Music Experts” (May 10, 2009) by Mark Wildman fromThe Observer, UK. Elizabethan composer William Byrd knew the value of singing four hundred years ago when he said, “Since singing is so good a thing, I wish all men would learn to sing. First, it is knowledge safely taught and quickly learned, where there is a good Master, and an apt Scholar. The exercise of singing is delightful to nature and good to preserve the health of Man. It doth strengthen all parts of the brest, and doth open the pipes. It is a singular good remedy for a stutting and stammering in the speech. It is the best means to procure a perfect pronunciation, and to make a good Orator. It is the only way to knowe where Nature hath bestowed the benefit of a good voice: which gift is so rare, as there is not one among a thousand, that hath it. There is not any Musicke of instruments whatsoever, comparable to that which is made of the voices of Men, where the voices are good, and the same well sorted and ordered.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/may/10/mark-wildman-royal-academy-experts
“Tewksbury High School’s Top 10 Seniors Honored” (May 12, 2009) from the Tewksbury Advocate and Wickedlocaltewksbury.com.
Anthony Sacco is the Salutatorian for the class of 2009. He is an academic scholar and a pianist. He has studied the piano for eleven years, “volunteers his time playing the piano at Marland Place, an assisted living community, and at the VA hospital”, and “now gives piano lessons.” Sacco “is a member of the National Honor Society. He achieved a score of 800 on SAT II Latin, a score of 800 on SAT II Math Level II, a total score of 2210 for SAT I, a score of five AP Latin Vergil, and a score of five AP Calculus AB.” He has received many awards for Academic Excellence. “Anthony is treasurer of Junior Classical League”, co-founder of the Chess Club, member of the Math Team, recognized as an AP scholar, and musical director of the Drama Club. He “plans on attending Princeton University with a major in mathematics and possible certificates (minor) in economics, finance, music and musical theater.”
Lisa Baumoel is a National Scholarship Commended Student and “ranks fifth in the class of 2009.” She is an academic scholar, a pianist, and singer. Lisa studied the piano for 10 years and the voice for seven years. “She achieved a total SAT score of 2140, 780 in reading, 700 in writing, and 660 in math. Lisa was the first student from Tewksbury Memorial High School to enroll in the TEAMS program at UMass Lowell in her junior year.” Lisa interns for Ms. Gordon’s Level 1 freshman biology class and edits amateur authors online without pay. “Lisa has wanted to be a geneticist since she was 6 years old.” She hopes “ to attend UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College with an anticipated major in microbiology.”
Gregory Andrews “is a recipient of the University of Vermont scholarship, the University of Vermont presidential scholarship and numerous Renaissance Award cards. He ranks eighth in the class of 2009.” He is an academic scholar and a musician playing in the percussion ensemble and in the marching band for four years. “He received a total SAT score of 2010.” Greg has performed many acts of community service with the Boy Scouts.” He “plans on attending the University of Vermont with a major in mathematics.”
http://www.wickedlocal.com/tewksbury/news/x1518873645/Tewksbury-High-Schools-top-10-seniors-honored
“Hard Work Pays Off for Top Students” (June 4, 2009) by Heather M. Smith from the Star Community Newspaper. Truc Do is the valedictorian of her high school class. She is a scholar and a musician playing the piano for 12 years. In the fall, she will major in biochemistry at the University of Texas at Dallas where she has won a full four year scholarship. While at AHS, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the UIL history team, vice president of the Spanish Honor Society, and the Eagle Depot. She says, “She wants to continue piano and also take guitar lessons.” Trevor Ede is salutatorian of his high school class. He is a scholar and a musician. “Ede said one of his passions is classical music” and “he is a member of the Youth Chorus of Greater Dallas.” He plans “to attend the University of Texas” majoring in business.
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2009/06/04/allen_american/news/49.txt
This July if you have a question about the power of music for education and healing … what would your specific question be? Click on the link below and look on the left side to where it says ask Madeline a question:
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com
Evidence & Articles supporting the benefits of classical music in your daily life, in the Public School Classrooms, and while doing homework after school:
Elizabeth Hamilton author of the “how-to book” on building courage of convictions (http://www.character-in-action.com/cbs02.htm) sent the following amazing story of “A mother’s love and a child overcoming monumental handicaps” through Classical music!The“4 Fingered Pianist” from the Kim Komando Show(Jan. 17, 2009). “HeeAh Lee was born with severe physical deformities. She only had two fingers on each hand. And her legs ended at her knees. Her doctors didn’t expect her to live.”
http://videos.komando.com/2009/01/17/the-four-fingered-pianist/
The power of playing Classical music duets, on the piano, for longevity andfor keeping this married couple, of 62 years, healthy and happywas sent to us by veteran Virginia teacher B. V. Smith.
http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=4365716
Mrs. S teaches 7th grade Math at Davis Middle School in Hampton, VA.: “Students perform better on tests and quizzes while listening to Mozart Symphonies in the background..” (Dec 1, 2008)
Mrs. I’s fourth grade reading, writing, and math class in the York County Public School District in Virginia. “During the summer of 2008, I taught students from all the schools in the county. About the middle of the term, I decided to start playing classical music while students worked independently. I noticed that students were more focused on tasks than they had been previously while doing independent work. They also talked to each other less. One day, when I forgot to turn on the music, a number of the students came up to me and reminded me to turn it on. At the end of the term, all the students had reached their academic goals in both subjects, (reading and math) and most had gone way beyond their goals. (Most of the student’s scores went up 15% to 36% higher.) I know that the atmosphere that was created by the classical music contributed a lot to this.” (Sep 24, 2008)
Mrs. C’s high school math class in Colorado: “The students asked for music in class. I told them I wouldplay only Mozart. At first they objected but soon decided they liked the music, because it made them feel better and able to focus more on their lessons. Consequently, not only did the grades get better, so did the discipline. Then the students began requesting Mozart.”
Mrs. G had her fifth grade students listening to classical music, played softly, while the children did creative writing assignments and when they did problem solving in math. It created a calm atmosphere conducive to problem solving and creative thinking as well as an appreciation of music that they might not have experienced. The results were so good that she incorporated this into her teaching for the last five years of her teaching career.
Mrs. JC had her fourth grade reading class of 22 students, listening to Mozart and other classical music during class for the entire school year .The children have consistently made 100’s on tests and work. These are just average students not exceptional.
Mrs. J has 3 children, ages 16, 12, and 8 who have been listening to Mozart and other classical music while doing their homework after school since March 05. She has seen them become more focused and relaxed, finishing homework quicker, with more accuracy which has led to higher grades.
Northside Middle School in Norfolk, Virginia is using classical music in halls and class rooms with very good success. “Classical Music Plays at Norfolk School”