High schoolers who participate in music courses may score higher in academic subjects, according to a new study of students in British Columbia.
Based on more than 110,000 educational records of students in British Columbia who started 1st grade between 2000 and 2003, researchers found that after accounting for prior academic achievement, cultural background and socioeconomic status, students who took a music class were more likely to score higher in math, science, and English. Moreover, those who were highly engaged in music performed on average a year ahead of their peers who did not take music.
Students who participated in instrumental music rather than vocal music had bigger benefits.
