Why Musical Theatre Classes Are Important

Musical theatre is a popular extracurricular among high school students, but more often than not it’s just that: another after-school activity. When incorporated into an academic curriculum, musical theatre classes can be extremely beneficial for students of all ages. This is especially true if they want to have a career in the performing arts field.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of music classes so you can understand why this curriculum may be right for your high school student.

6 Benefits of Taking Music Classes in High School

Musical theatre classes span a wide variety of subjects, from dance and the performing arts to instrumental performance. These are just a few of the ways taking music-based classes can benefit high school students.

1. It Can Boost Brain Activity

Time and time again, studies have shown that comprehension of musical language can benefit a student’s overall mental development. According to Kumon, research has revealed that musical training helps develop the left side of the brain, which is known to be involved with processing language and reasoning. For young children, music classes can aid in their overall cognitive development. And for teens, this can directly translate into achieving higher scores on standardized tests and better grades in school.

2. Improves Concentration

Whether students are learning to play a new piece of music, memorizing dialogue for a play, or practicing a new dance routine, they are learning the value of hard work. At the same time, they must be focused on the task at hand to reach their goal. All of this is to say that musical theatre classes can help students develop a sustained concentration of their mind and body. This skill can also help them in the classroom as they learn new subjects and retain new knowledge.

3. Help Develop Creativity

Teens who study the arts learn to think creatively. The average school curriculum is full of classes that teach mathematics, the sciences, and reading comprehension, leaving little room for studies that spark creativity. Music classes are an ideal outlet for individual expression and help kids of all ages learn how to solve problems in novel ways. The best thing about musical theatre class is that there’s no right or wrong way to do things, offering a chance for students to branch out and explore different ways to come to the best solution to their challenges.

4. It Can Contribute to a Higher IQ

Not only do music classes help students perform better in the classroom, but it has also been proven to directly affect their IQ. PBS explained that studies have shown that children who were given music lessons over the school year tested on average three IQ points higher than the other groups. The drama group, specifically, did not have as much of a drastic IQ improvement but did experience increased social behavior benefits not seen in the music-only group. The best way for students to experience all of these benefits is to participate in a diversified musical theatre program that offers classes across music and performing arts.

5. It Improves Teen’s Self-Esteem

Musical theatre is not about perfection, but it is a place where students learn to give and receive constructive criticism to improve their performance. The Parents Network explained that music classes give teens a chance to turn feedback into positive change that in turn helps them build self-confidence. Group sessions, especially, help teens understand that no one is perfect and everyone has room for improvement. This experience can also help them be more confident throughout the rest of their life as they receive feedback from their teachers and future employers.

6. It’s Rooted in Work-Based Learning

Finally, we can’t overlook how beneficial music classes are to a budding artist’s career when incorporated into their school schedule. Musical theatre classes allow students to view music and the arts as a whole as a career, not just a hobby. A school curriculum dedicated to the arts empowers students through work-based learning, essentially showing them what a career in music or performing would be like. This can happen through artistic residencies and performances, but no matter what, it all helps students prepare for a career in the arts.

As you can see, there are many benefits of music classes for students interested in making a career out of their passions. While these are by no means all the reasons these classes are important, they are some of the most relevant to students in this stage of development.

LIHSA Performing Arts Curriculum

For over 45 years, LIHSA has transformed the lives of young emerging artists from across Long Island through its high school and summer programs. Here, students can choose between six CTE pathways, including a performing arts program. Each pathway includes independent projects and field trips that help students gain experience and knowledge in art-centered careers such as music, dance, theatre, and more.

While students pursue their artistic passions, they learn from a dedicated team of teachers who are accomplished musicians and performers themselves, as well as master classes taught by renowned professionals. We understand the importance a dedicated musical theatre education can have on students who want to pursue the arts in college and as a career.

Apply to our Visual & Performing Arts School today or request information to learn more about our musical theatre classes!