Here are WSJ's 5 main points:

1. Music raises your IQ.
2. Music training can reduce the academic gap between rich and poor districts.
3. Music training does more than sports, theater or dance to improve key academic skills.
4. Music can be an inexpensive early screening tool for reading disabilities.
5. Music literally expands your brain.

We've also found published studies such as:

Improvements in English and Math Scores

• Better English and Math scores. Students in top-quality music programs scored 22% better in English and 20% better in math than students in deficient music programs.
• Christopher M. Johnson and Jenny E. Memmott, Journal of Research in Music Education, 2006

Better SAT scores

• Better SAT scores. In 2006, SAT takers with coursework/experience in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal portion of the test and 43 points higher on the math portion than students with no coursework or experience in the arts.
• The College Board, Profile of College-Bound Seniors National Report for 2006A Revolution in Music Education

Even if it takes the American School System long to catch up to implement these findings, we can, as parents, teachers, and friends prioritize musical activities to enrich our loved ones' lives. And perhaps give them an edge.

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