Martin Luther wrote, “Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” It is no surprise, then, that the Lutheran church and her schools have a heritage of great music and music education. The Lutheran Schools Partnership schools are no exception.Many studies have shown the academic benefits of music education on children. Music instruction has been shown to help build reading skills, including vocabulary and verbal sequencing (Science Daily). Research also suggests that students who can keep a beat and be part of basic elementary music instruction have an advantage as they learn the rhythm of reading and language (Northwestern University).
The academic benefits of music education certainly give it a worthy spot in any school’s curriculum. However, our Lutheran schools prize music for more than its academic value. Through music, we worship; we praise the God who created us, sustains us, and saves us. Through music we celebrate what He has done. Through music, we build community and celebrate. Music moves our souls. These experiences connect what we teach and confess with the emotion of music.As we near Christmas, many of our schools are working on Advent services, Christmas programs, or Christmas musicals that they share with their school, church, and broader community. Lutheran school students will share the Good News of the birth of the Savior with their families and friends through music. What sets these musical opportunities in our schools apart from other schools is the focus on Christ. The season of Advent and the Gospel message of Christmas are not forgotten, glossed over, or intentionally left out in our Lutheran schools-they are celebrated! Truly, music is a great treasure, and we are blessed to share that treasure with the students in our Lutheran schools.Photo: D. Schroeder
