Wynton Marsalis and others define music as organized sound in time that involves movement. Music has been part of human culture for over 35,000 years. Early exposure to music helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning in children. Learning music as a child provides benefits such as academic success, cultural understanding, teamwork skills, and ability to manage stress. Music activates networks in the brain related to rhythm and movement. It can also help treat neurological conditions and cognitive decline in older adults. Learning a musical instrument is possible at any age.

1. Philip Clines
Joni Lagerstrom
Jayson Rucks

2. What is music?
 Wynton Marsalis identifies music as any organized sound
in time.
 “No motion, no rhythm; no rhythm, no music.” – Wynton
Marsalis
 “Movement is an intrinsic part of the music experience.” –
Jessica Phillips-Silver

3. What Is Music? (Continued…)
 35,000 year-old flute found in 2008.
 Music is used as a bonding force for humans.
 Neuroscientists examine parts of the brain.

4. Music Development In Children
 Many researchers believe that the earlier a child is
exposed to music, the more the brain responds to
different music tones.
 Music starts at: infancy with caregivers; toddler years;
adolescence; adulthood
 Jean Piaget states that children should first experience
music aurally, kinesthetically, and then cognitively.

5. Benefits of Music Education as a Child
1. Early musical training helps develop brain areas
involved in language and reasoning.
2. Recent studies have proven that students who study the
arts are more successful on tests, so why can’t adults
achieve similar success through music?
3. Being a musician can provide you with a discipline that
can help people develop a compassion for other cultures.
4. Musicians stretch their minds by listening to other
musicians.
5. Music studying enhances teamwork skills and discipline.
6. Music study develops skills that are necessary in the
work place.
7. Music performance teaches people of all ages to conquer
fear and take risks.

6. The Brain
 The human brain is innately attuned to respond to highly
rhythmic music because our nervous system is unique
among mammals in its automatic tendency to go into foot-
tapping mode.
 Music triggers networks of neurons to translate the
cadence into organized movement.
 A test between musicians and non-musicians determining
their auditory memory and capabilities.
 Another test done between older adults and Alzheimer’s
patients.

7. Music Is Medicine For Body and Soul
 Music therapy has been practiced for decades as a way to
treat neurological conditions from Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s to strokes to problems with anxiety, and
depression.
 As adults age, music can help them overcome their mental
and/ or physical problems.
1. Parkinson’s
2. Alzheimer’s
3. Strokes
4. Anxiety/ Depression/ Stress
5. Dementia
6. Degeneration

8. Music is not just for kids!
 Music decreases the degeneration of older adults’ minds.
 Memory, perceptual speed and motor skills
 Music retains hearing and auditory memory.
 Music helps fight communication problems.

9. Kathy Younker started playing the cello at 35 and
she’s now 58.

10. It’s never too late for music!
 Are kids doomed if they do not learn music before age 11?
 Are the neuron circuits closed off after someone reaches a
certain age?
 Is it possible for adults to learn music and how to play
instruments without prior knowledge?
Some people believe the answer to these questions is
“yes.”
The fact is it is never too late for the brain to change.
Therefore, it is never too late for music!