Exploring the power of music in children

Three music education leaders will present research at a public lecture this month showing the advantages children can gain from music.

University of Queensland School of Music Head Professor Margaret Barrett said research confirmed the long-held belief that music had significant benefits for infants, children and adolescents.

“Research under way at UQ demonstrates that children who experience early shared music activities in the home during infancy and early childhood score better than their peers in vocabulary, numeracy, attentional and emotional regulation and pro-social skills,” Professor Barrett said.

“Other recent research shows that music engagement in juvenile justice settings can lead to better personal development, particularly in the areas of confidence, competence and connection.

“Discussion of these issues is timely, given the current review of the National Curriculum for the Arts,” she said.

The lecture forms part of the Global Leadership Series, in which UQ experts and others lead discussions on important community issues and global ideas.

Joining Professor Barrett at the event will be Professor Graham Welch, an honorary UQ Professor and Established Chair of Music Education at University College London’s Institute of Education, and Richard Gill OAM, one of Australia’s pre-eminent and most admired conductors.

“Richard Gill, an inspiring teacher and communicator, will provoke the audience to reflect on the value of music in their lives and those of children everywhere,” Professor Barratt said.

She said she and Professor Welch had undertaken a number of research projects into children’s music education.

“We will bring this background to the discussion and will provide new insights arising from current research we are undertaking together,” she said.

This event is supported by the UQ School of Music’s Creative Collaboratorium. Tickets are $25.

Media: Professor Margaret Barrett, m.barrett@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 3513 or Belinda Brear, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, b.brear@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 1634.