We have all heard how music lessons can increase SAT scores.  Music is full of patterns and associations that alter the brain's make-up with newer and stronger connections.  This report backs that up with quotes and figures from various research journals.

It also includes a couple of pages of quotes about music such as this one from Pythagoras:

"There is geometry in the humming of the strings,

there is music in the spacing of the spheres."

Or this one from Hans Christian Anderson:

"Where words fail, music speaks."

Toward the end of the report, the authors also touch on the "squishier" side of the benefits of music education, especially character traits, such as positive attitude, perseverance, and cooperation.

Follow this link from Sonlight Curriculum to get your own copy of this free music research report.

Sonlight Curriculum has recently brought a new music program into their family of products.  Bastien Piano Basics.  According to the site, the program "uses a carefully graded, logical learning sequence to teach piano from 'scratch.' Virtually no parental knowledge or skill required. Students use this series to teach themselves. Practice pieces include a mix of pop, folk, classical and contemporary styles."

I haven't used this program, and I am not affiliated with Sonlight, but it looks interesting enough to me that I plan on trying it out.  I took a peek at the forums to see what moms who have used this program have to say about it.  Many are quite happy with the understandable method.  Whatever program homeschoolers use, however, the consensus is that music education is a valuable component for aesthetic enjoyment, brain development and good, old-fashioned, well-roundedness!