5 of the Best Music Education Quotes

Music education is so important, and it can be hard at times to find the right words to express to others about why it matters so much. Sometimes when we don’t know what to say, we can use the words of others who have advocated for music education. These music education quotes are my favorites and I hope they help you to remember the impact you’re making in your students lives every day.

1. Music is part of a complete elementary education

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them – a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.” – Gerald Ford

This quote has always been one of my favorites. I truly believe that musicians make the best employees. While in music class, so much cooperative learning is taking place. These skills truly last with kids for a lifetime.

2. Rhythm and harmony find their way into our students souls

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” – Plato

While every subject at school is so important, music benefits not just the mind. When student’s listen to a piece of music, they can’t help but move to it in someway. Whether they tap their foot, sway to the beat, or close their eyes to take in the sounds, music helps kids feel emotions they may have never tapped into before. They may even catch themselves throughout the day humming a song they learned in music class.

3. Students in elementary music participate in many different ways

“Elemental music is never just music. It’s bound up with movement, dance and speech, and so it is a form of music in which one must participate, in which one is involved not as a listener but as a co-performer.” – Carl Orff

Carl Orff has done wonders for the elementary music community. I love teaching with the Orff approach because children are experiencing music and not just learning it. Children become participants and not just observers. If you’ve been curious about how to teach with the Orff method, these are my favorite ways.

4. Music helps our students make connections

“Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s education.” – Yo-Yo Ma

Why is music education so important? How many times have you been asked this exact question? One of the things I love most about elementary music it helps kids to form connections between other subjects. How many of you remember learning a song about the 50 states? I did, and once I learned the song, I immediately could recall every state in alphabetical order.

5. Music education helps create a bright future

“With music, one’s whole future life is brightened. This is such a treasure in life that it helps us over many troubles and difficulties. Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life.” – Zoltan Kodaly

Kodaly is another music education genius. This quote has always meant a lot to me. I think back to students during my first year of teaching who were struggling in other academic areas. Once they came to music class, they felt a sense of accomplishment and joy. You can read more about how I like to teach using the Kodaly method here.

Do you have a favorite quote that has inspired you as a music teacher? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or share your thoughts on social media as you share this post.

Also, I’d love for you to share this post or any of the resources on my website with a friend or colleague who you know NEEDS to see it.

P.S. Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher? Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!

Jessica Peresta

I'm passionate about providing music teachers with the music education resources, lesson plans, teacher training, and community you've been looking for. I believe your domestic life should be spent soaking up time with family and friends and your music teacher life while at school should not leave you feeling defeated, but should be a joyful, exciting, and rewarding experience. To find out more about me and my passion behind starting The Domestic Musician, click on the "about" tab on my website.