Opinion: Learning music can help kids in more than one way

Every Friday an editorial board member speaks with a prominent figure from the University or surrounding community. This week, Zach Gaver sat down with Kaitlyn Hamlett, senior Biostatistcs major and Co-President of Musical Empowerment.

As important as the study of math and sciences is, it is far from a complete education in any sense of the word.

Although Governor Pat McCrory continues his campaign against the liberal arts degree, it is unlikely that UNC will see the loss of any of its departments or majors any time soon. The institution is largely safeguarded against these things.

However, not all institutions and levels of education are able to say that. As budgetary concerns wreak havoc on primary education, music programs are often some of the first things to go, leaving many under privileged children with no access to this sort of education due to the costs of instruments and music lessons.

Hamlett realizes this stark reality and works to seek a solution through Musical Empowerment.

The nonprofit, which has been in existence in one form or another for over 10 years, pairs UNC students that can play an instrument with local children that are seeking to learn music and would not be able to any other way. It even lends instruments to the students being taught.

While learning to play an instrument is a huge success in its own right, the knowledge of music creates positive externalities throughout the rest of the student’s life.

“Studies show that kids involved in music score higher, on average, on the SAT than kids who aren’t and have an easier time with math, in general.”

By truly learning to master a talent, opportunities also begin to the students.

“We had one girl in the program for years that learned to play piano. She now has a scholarship to study music in college.”

However, beyond these studies and anecdotes that everyone has heard of through one source of another, the knowledge of music can completely shift a child’s perspective.

“It’s like a sport. They learn the discipline to keep practicing and learn their instrument. Learning an instrument can really help to teach perseverance.”

With these lessons, the children can turn to any task with new grit. They’ll know all the right notes to play, regardless of the situation.

But even with all the talk of education and learning, the true purpose of music can never be forgotten — bringing people together through a common tune.

“UNC students go beyond the tradition teacher/student relationship, the UNC students involved with Musical Empowerment serve as a mentor — they’re more than just a teacher, they’re a role model .”

While it’s tragic that it takes a nonprofit organization to confer these benefits to local children, Musical Empowerment seems to be flourishing and succeeding. With the help of a concert on April 15, which will include Mipso and the Avett Brothers, the group hopes to gift any instruments borrowed for three years to the students they are teaching.

From well-known bands to children forgotten by the system, Hamlett and Musical Empowerment are helping to keep the music alive.