Susan Clark's benefits of Music Education

Excerpted from a speech by Susan Clark, flute teacher and new MTAC president:

- It has been proven that studying music at a young improves a child's (and adult's) math skills. Fractions translate directly to Rhythm; Sets and Intersecting Sets are nothing more than musical keys and related keys. Private music study, and the practice required to learn the music, makes musicians excellent project managers, able to plan ahead toward individual or group goals. Musicians are able to manage time wisely and able to handle multiple projects at once, taking responsibility for each outcome.

- Much of musical training has to do with identifying and mastering patterns in everything from compositional structure to technical passages. Musicians can apply that ability to working environments, including computer technology. Those with musical aptitude and training have the closest match to persons with the personality and skills to be successful in today's technical world.

- Musicians tend to be creative people, in tune with their minds, their bodies, and their emotions. They are able to identify patterns in behavior and processes which may or may not work with speech. Musicians are able to work closely with others (especially instrumental musicians) and meet group goals. Musicians come to understand that it is only through working effectively with others (accompanists, conductors, and other performers) that a performance (or a project) will be successful).