Music is a common thread that connects every individual. According to Music Education Online, an organization dedicated to the spreading the benefits of music to students throughout the country, involvement with music can have positive effects in various areas of a student’s life.

Music instructors countrywide rave about the benefits of taking a musically based class, or even finding a way to fit music into daily life. Choir teacher Briana Kruse says music shaped her childhood in the same ways it is shaping her students’.

“Learning to sing or play an instrument teaches students to think on their feet” Kruse said. “Because they are constantly self-evaluating, along with other skills that must be learned to succeed in the workforce later on in life,” Kruse said.

Along with academic benefits and learning life skills, music also provides an escape. Some students believe focusing on school work and blocking out the noise can be difficult at times, but junior Brandon Benson believes music helps him do exactly that.

“Sometimes it’s just too loud in my house, I can’t focus on anything,” Benson said. “Putting in some headphones and blocking it all out really helps.”

Managing every day stress is also eased through listening to music, according to junior Andrea Riojas.

“Music is an escape” Riojas said, “It lets me take a break from reality, and let’s face it, reality is hard.”

According to some, life as a student can be difficult. Finding somewhere to belong and something that connects the student body is crucial; music does this.

“Music is in everyone’s life: singing, dancing, playing,” Kruse said. “It’s our culture everyone can relate to it, giving students a place to belong and something to relate to something every school should strive for.”

Music provides a sense of relief and a way to express oneself. Junior Madison Pruden believes everyone should incorporate music into their lives.

“It’s like finding the words you have been struggling to say and putting them to a melody,” Pruden said, “It can be life changing.”