The Importance of Parental Support

Music study & appreciation is one of the great contributions that we can make in our children’s lives. It’s not just the studies that show that music lessons improve academic success and teach discipline & concentration. Developing a true love of music that extends into adulthood can be the gift of a lifetime. There are many ways for parents to support this worthwhile goal:

The Encouraging Parent: Music study takes time, practice & encouragement. Set aside a set time at home for practice and establish a routine that supports daily attention to practice. Listen, offer praise & helpful suggestions for improvement, and help your child to see practice as a benefit meant to improve their skills and hone their talent.

The Appreciative Audience: The best audience at any school concert is an auditorium full of parents. Your child may not admit it, but they want to be able to look out into the crowd and see your face. Music is a family affair. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate your child’s talent and achievements.

The Music Lover: Parents are and will always be a child’s first and best teacher. Make the effort to bring music into the home – all kinds of music. Local libraries have large collections of popular, jazz, and classical music. The Cleveland Institute of Music website, www.cim.edu lists an amazing variety of free concerts & student recitals. The Cleveland Orchestra www.clevelandorchestra.com offers reasonably priced family concerts & creative children’s programs. The Cleveland Pops https://www.clevelandpops.com/ offers programs as well.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life –Red Auerbach