Music helps develop brains, creativity

Catholic schools expand music programs to include band instruments

Published: April 28, 2012

By Phyllis Hemann
Associate Editor

Phyllis Hemann

Dr. Liana Tyson shows eighth-grade students at Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock what notes to play on their metallophones before recording their music video project.

Phyllis Hemann

Dr. Liana Tyson shows eighth-grade students at Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock what notes to play on their metallophones before recording their music video project.

Music education in Arkansas Catholic schools is not just about singing on tune -- it's critical to developing pathways in children's brains and an appreciation of culture.

"Music is developing the brain. It is making the brain understand -- developing pathways that are important for brain development. They are learning expression, as well as how to be great communicators. The creative process in music develops the brain in a way that's important for critical thinking," said Dr. Liana Tyson, music teacher at Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock.

While studies show that music does help improve math and spatial skills, Greg Guiffria, music teacher at Christ the King School in Little Rock, said it stands on its own as "food for the soul."

"Music is medicine for the soul. It feeds us. It reflects our culture -- what we aspire to be -- and speaks to our values, our morals. It enriches your life," he said

For students in Catholic schools, music education enhances their core curriculum.

Music teachers are using every tool from children's voices to band instruments in an effort to fully develop their music capabilities.

"Music is fun and a reward in itself," Guiffria said. "They have to work to get it on their own and together as a band. Playing an instrument develops fine motor skills. It is a good blend of physical and mental skills. It's also something they can take with them through life. You can be 80 years old and still playing a musical instrument."

Christ the King School in Little Rock started a band last year and has 43 students participating. Currently, they perform at school functions.

"It's work. It takes a lot of prodding in the beginning, but eventually they start to see the end results," he said.

One of the best rewards from studying music and learning to play instruments is the discipline, said Jeanne Recker, music teacher at St. Edward School in Little Rock.

"When they learn the discipline involved in music, they can see progress where in other subjects they might not. They learn, practice and see the results with music. It helps in life to see that you have to practice and work at something," she said,

For Catholic school students, there is an added element of learning liturgical music and how it impacts the experience of the Mass.

"The connection to Mass is powerful coming into the Catholic school system. It's wonderful to be a music teacher in a Catholic school," Tyson said. "Everything we use to connect to Mass. Feeling engaged in Mass is important for children, and music can help them do that."

Tyson works closely with the parish music director Paul Vogler to incorporate what the students are learning into music for school and weekend Masses.

"He knows what we are doing here and invites us all the time to take part," Tyson said. "Whether it is the kindergarten memorizing refrains from hymns or older kids playing a march on snare drums for All Saints Day, they are participating. It is a wonderful thing for them."

At IC's Mass on Easter morning, students played drums as part of the service to herald Christ's resurrection.

What the students learn in music is also reinforcing Catholic theology, Guiffria said.

"I often teach what the songs mean -- the basic theology behind the words. I don't want them to just sing words. I want them to understand the meaning of what they sing. It reinforces what they are learning in their religion classes," he said. "For me, as a former public school teacher, it is liberating to be able to talk about God and Catholic theology."

Both Guiffria and Tyson say the use of instruments in music education gives students a more advanced music skill set and teaches them to work cooperatively.

"It gives them more ear training when they have to perform, listen and cooperate. It gets them listening to music in a more advanced way when they can jump in and be a part of the texture. They are engaged on a deeper level," Tyson said.

IC students learn to play percussion instruments -- from metallophones, rhythm sticks, cymbals to snare drums -- and also recorders.

They use what they learn to perform at programs like their Veteran's Day celebration, Masses and other community events, Tyson said.

Other schools that have band programs or incorporate instruments into their music education include North Little Rock Catholic Academy in North Little Rock, St. Joseph School in Fayetteville, St. Vincent de Paul School in Rogers and St. John School in Hot Springs.

While they don't have an official after-school band program yet, Tyson hopes they are building toward one.

The cost of instruments is often an issue for music teachers, Tyson and Recker said, and they find ways to provide the best experience possible for all students. Recker said each year at St. Edward School they add more instruments to the program bit by bit.

This year, her students are learning to play ukuleles and are loving it. Several students will play as part of the closing of an art festival at the Terry House April 29. The choir will also sing as part of the event.

At I.C., the students are even using technology to learn about music, making music videos as a project to showcase what they are learning. Each class comes up with their own concepts and creates all necessary parts from beginning to end.

Being creative in teaching children music is necessary, Recker said. Her students put on their own talent show at the end of each month, even performing their own commercial jingles as part of the talent show program.

"Music makes a well-rounded individual. It is a way to express and be who you are," Recker said. "Anybody can do certain levels of music. I want them to do more than just sit there and sing. I want them to have fun. I want them to learn to express themselves through music and love to do it."

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