Research | La investigación
Musical training in childhood strengthens auditory, cognitive, and executive function skills, like focus and self-regulation.
Using brain scans, studies reveal real, lasting changes in the brain regions tied to listening, learning, and decision-making.
These benefits are especially powerful when music begins early—and they differ based on a child’s age and stage of development.
In short, music doesn’t just support learning—it transforms how the brain grows.
That’s why keeping music in children’s lives is more important than ever.
Join us in supporting every child to reach their full potential through music education.
La formación musical en la infancia fortalece las habilidades auditivas, cognitivas y ejecutivas, como la concentración y la autoregulación.
Estudios realizados mediante escáneres cerebrales revelan cambios reales y duraderos en las regiones cerebrales relacionadas con la escucha, el aprendizaje y la toma de decisiones.
Estos beneficios son especialmente importantes cuando se empieza a aprender música a temprana edad, y varían según la edad y la etapa de desarrollo del niño.
En resumen, la música no solo favorece el aprendizaje, sino que transforma el desarrollo cerebral.
Por eso, mantener la música presente en la vida de los niños es más importante que nunca.
Únete a nosotros para apoyar que cada niño alcance su máximo potencial a través de la educación musical.
Education Program Research Project Summary
Southwestern University and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival – November 20, 2023
During the months of May and June 2023, Southwestern University and the Santa Fe Chamber of Music Festival (SFCMF) completed an initial qualitative study of the Festival’s Strings in Our Schools (SIOS) elementary violin program.
The goal was to evaluate the impact of the program upon students. Interviews and surveys were conducted with 36 program stakeholders including current students, alumni, music teachers, classroom teachers, and parents of students in the program.
The interviews and surveys delved into the students’ relationships with music and how those relationships changed over time while in the program. Other areas of inquiry centered upon what students enjoyed about the program, how it impacted their lives, and any suggestions they had about program enhancement.
Research Methodology
• Five focus groups with parents and current students.
• Fourteen interviews with alumni, elementary teachers, parents of alumni, an elementary music teacher, and the SIOS instructor.
Results: Key areas of short- and long-term student impacts
• Socio-emotional skills: greater levels of confidence, focus and concentration, responsibility, perseverance, self-expression, and reduced stress.
• Academic skills: improved academic outcomes in grades overall, specifically math skills, and better school attendance.
• Relationships: improved relationships with peers, family and teachers, and improved teamwork in school.
• Music immersion: exposure to music, greater appreciation for music, development of music skills, personal growth in music skills.
Program Recommendations
• General expansion of the program (additional teachers, more classes, additional schools).
• More in-person class time per week during school hours.
• Additional student performances.
• Offering more instruments (e.g., cello).
For the full research reports, contact SFCMF Education and Outreach Director Ivy Ross at ivy@sfcmf.org
The Research Presentation
In late May 2023, Southwestern University and the Santa Fe Chamber of Music Festival began an initial evaluation of their Strings in Our Schools elementary violin program. The students in this program attend violin classes for 50 minutes each week as well as 50 minutes of online lessons for beginning and intermediate students. They perform in 2 concerts per year. This program is available for 3rd- to 5th-grade students at 4 elementary schools in the Santa Fe area: Tesuque Elementary, Pecos Elementary, Ramirez Thomas Elementary, and Sweeney Elementary.
