Colegio Necali – Global School of Monterrey
Almost any school child will quickly tell you – even if you haven’t asked –that music class is fun! To see children rushing toward the music classroom in anticipation of the myriad sounds and creations that await them there is truly heartwarming. But beyond enthusiasm, music education can also develop other important life skills such as establishing criteria for discerning what an individual likes and doesn’t like in areas where musical varieties and personal choices intersect. A well-planned and creative music program can help children at an early age to begin to decode symbols and listen with patience and appreciation for the complexity and intricacy of a popular song or musical score. Of course, these newly acquired skills carry over to other dimensions of life not only in school work but also in the public arena.
But music classes have other benefits that might not be immediately obvious. Because music is produced collaboratively through the use of musical instruments or choral arrangements, children learn to socialize around a theme and work together as they depend upon the teamwork of their classmates. Music is a group effort in most cases and children see themselves as part of a larger endeavor – an endeavor more complex but also more individually rewarding.
At Colegio Necali, we have introduced a music education program that has focused on developing an understanding of the cultural context and the analytical skills necessary to fully appreciate 20th century instrumental music. At the same time, memory and language skills have been enhanced because children have participated in choral performances and special programs centered around important holiday celebrations. The teachers and administrators of our school were overjoyed to see the happy faces as our students enthusiastically sang holiday music in Spanish, English, Latin, and Italian this past December!
Colegio Necali is proud of our burgeoning music program, and we consider student participation in the arts just as important as their participation in our more formal academic programs. A truly educated child is able to enjoy a musical score, a great novel, a unique work of visual art, an understanding of the world of nature, or a mathematical equation equally. A dynamic and innovative music program has bridged this gap for our students and their families.
