The Music Department
Music has traditionally been a valuable part of Scoil Iósaif curriculum. Currently all students study Music throughout their first year. They are then offered a choice to pursue it to Junior Cycle. Music is also offered as a subject at Leaving Certificate level.
Why Music?
10 good reasons according to the National Association of Music Education:
- Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds.
- A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond.
- Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music.
- A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement.
- Students stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep students interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects.
- Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self-esteem and are better at coping with anxiety.
- Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops a child’s imagination.
- Music can be relaxing: Students can fight stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is especially helpful in helping students relax.
- Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for students.
- Students can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.