Music and the Brain (MATB) is a foundational, school-day general music method with a 27-year track record integrating piano learning for all as an entry point to developing musicianship, critical thinking, and essential life skills. We empower music educators and ensure equity for all partner school learners (K-12) through our comprehensive music education resources.
MUSIC LITERACY
Music and the Brain students learn to read music notation from lesson one as they develop piano skills. Recent neurological research is proving that studying music is deeply connected to language acquisition and literacy aptitude. Independent research involving Music and the Brain students revealed increased vocabulary and verbal sequencing abilities.
ATTENTION, and FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Music and the Brain teachers overwhelmingly report that their students’ ability to focus and their attention skills are improved as well as their fine motor skills as they participate in lessons. This impacts learning across subjects.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Music and the Brain students develop critical life skills such as perseverance, determination and grit. The structure of Music and the Brain gives students achievable benchmarks, allowing them to face challenges and celebrate their successes.
SCHOOL COMMUNITIES
Investing in music teachers is central to Music and the Brain, providing ongoing training and year-round support, a complete music curriculum, and a classroom keyboard lab. Music and the Brain builds on the existing talent within the school’s personnel to get stronger results for more students during the school day.
By building on the school’s existing staff and schedule, Music and the Brain is an incredibly cost-effective model for delivering cognitive and academic skills, particularly in students who most need the help. Schools provide the teacher – Music and the Brain provides the system, the training and the tools, which can be used for years and years to come at a cost of less than $20/student.
Inspired by a 1996 Newsweek cover story by Sharon Begley entitled “Your Child’s Brain,” Building for the Arts’ (formerly 42nd St. Development Corp.) founding President, Fred Papert envisioned Music and the Brain as a way to deliver many of the benefits of private piano instruction to the public school curriculum in underserved communities. Lisha Lercari, a career music teacher was the founding Director of Music and the Brain. Music and the Brain provides classroom piano/keyboard labs to give music educators tools to introduce repertoire to full classes while incorporating singing, movement and music theory. Music and the Brain lessons teach students to read and analyze the language of music through diverse repertoire which allows for cross-curricular instruction. The curriculum and program introduces students to folk, classical, world, rock, pop and jazz music. Music and the Brain provides the ideal and most complete experience for children: academic rigor, fun music, commitment to practice and the rewards of perseverance.
