As Recording Academy President and CEO, Michael Greene said at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, “Music is a magical gift we must nourish and cultivate in our children, especially now as scientific evidence proves that an education in the arts makes better math and science students, enhances spatial intelligence in newborns, and let’s not forget that the arts are a compelling solution to teen violence, certainly not the cause of it.”

For more than a decade, Bright House Networks has partnered with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) to promote music education for thousands of elementary and middle school students.

The program partnership between Bright House Networks and Indianapolis Public Schools has helped restore music education; including band and string programs in all IPS elementary schools.

Each year, the flagship event of Bright House Networks and Indianapolis Public Schools’ partnership known as the Bright House Networks Music Festival serves as a visual and musical reminder of everything that young musicians and their instructors have accomplished throughout the year. The festival gives students an opportunity to showcase their musical talent, learn new music and get to know fellow musicians in the area. More than 1,000 IPS elementary and middle school student performers took part in the 2011 Bright House Networks Music Festival, which included a two-part series held at IPS high schools.

Numerous studies have shown over and over again that music education does make a positive difference in the lives of young people. According to the College-Bound Seniors Report of the The College Entrance Examination Board, students with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT. Students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation.

In addition, music study enhances teamwork skills and discipline. In order for an orchestra to sound good, all players must work together as a group harmoniously to perform exceptionally and must also commit to learning music, attending rehearsals, and practicing.

Read more about the benefits of music education.

How has music education made a positive difference in your life? What instrument do you or did you play in school?