I don’t always gravitate to articles or media focusing on extrinsic reasons for arts education. It’s something that I should try to correct as it would probably get more young people involved in music. I’m certain that all of my students and their parents know the importance of the arts and value them because of their inherent beauty. We practice and practice - play and perform in hopes of creating something truly wonderful. We do it because it feels good and makes us feel alive. It’s good to know, however, that there are many other benefits to our minds and bodies beyond nurturing the soul.
Check out this video and please let me know others that you come across. We must be ambassadors for the arts!
http://www.pbs.org/program/arts-mind/