January 14, 2026 – How Important is Music Instruction?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Known Benefits and Unknown Opportunities

Mercy is home from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (UNL) for her holiday break and I asked her this question, “How important is music instruction in the homeschool?” Her answer: “It gives the student appreciation and understanding of music, and the opportunity to decide if it is a direction they want to continue pursuing. Practice sessions increase your attention span, self-discipline, and perseverance.” Mercy has won many awards and even played at Carnegie Hall (read her story here). 

Though we didn’t start Mercy in music until her last two years of high school, and never knew she had any innate ability before that, it just clicked at that time and caused a desire in her to pursue music performance. And though she said she never wanted to go to college, she is now thriving in her third year of college instruction all because of music. 

In our little homeschool, we have required at least two years of music instruction for each child. If they desire, they may continue after that. The reasoning for this requirement came because of music instruction articles we ran in The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine stating all the brain benefits for music instruction. Here are just a few: 

30 Amazing, Incredible Benefits of Music by Rosalie Massie 

Can Music Improve Learning? The Importance of Nurturing Musical Experiences in Childhood by Daniela Silva 

Music Grows Your Brain by Emily-Jane Hills Orford 

We sometimes have no idea what God has in store for our children. But that’s okay because He brings the opportunities to them, and then proceeds to give our children all they need to walk in the good works He planned for them beforehand (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:8-10). Trust your Good Heavenly Father, the One who created and loves music, as you keep them Home. Where They Belong.

~Deborah

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Todd Wilson

Field of Dreams

Hey, Mom, have you ever seen the classic movie Field of Dreams? In a nutshell, farmer Ray Kinsella plows under his corn field, builds a baseball diamond, and old dead players come and relive their dreams, thus saving the farm.

At one point, an old doctor (we find out he’s dead already) shares his dream of wishing he had played. He becomes young and gets his first at-bat.  He hits it, gets on base, I think, and then a little girl in the stands chokes. Knowing he can save her, he steps across the baseline and is transformed back into the old doctor and saves the girl.

That’s when Ray says, “It’s a tragedy that you only played five minutes of professional baseball.”

To which the wise old doctor said with a twinkle in his eye, “Son, if I’d only gotten to be a doctor for five minutes . . . now that would have been a tragedy.”

The point is: some things matter and some don’t . . . as much. Music is one of those things that doesn’t as much, actually;  math is one of those things as well. The things that matter are relationships and serving God and others. If you have time for things like music and math, great. But, if you don’t have time for everything, pick the things that do matter. And don’t feel guilty.

Be real,
Todd

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About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

Alexandria Letkeman

Screechy Violins = Golden Memories

When I think of music in the home, I get nostalgic for days past and days ahead at the same time. I was an avid ballet dancer in high school, so the music in my house was recital songs and classical pieces. My sister and I shared a love for ballet, so those are golden memories. But when I think of the future, I picture clumsy piano scales and screechy violin lessons as my children learn an instrument for the first time. Those are the days I can’t wait for.

Why would any parent look forward to screechy violin? Great question. We all intrinsically know the value of music, both in our homes and in our brains. Hearing the same piece over and over until it’s right is a small price to pay. 

Studies show that when students learn an instrument, they strengthen areas tied to memory, focus, problem-solving, and language. Daily practice builds the mental wiring that helps every school subject, even the ones that feel unrelated.

There’s another benefit too: scholarships. Colleges pay attention to long-term commitments, and music strongly signals dedication and follow-through. Choir, piano, guitar, worship team—these all count. Many schools offer scholarships just for ensemble involvement.

Music weaves into family life in a unique way. When a child practices in the living room or sings in the kitchen while doing dishes, it adds a richness that academics can’t create. Encouraging music helps your student grow intellectually, emotionally, and even financially. It’s a small addition to your homeschool with lifelong impact. 

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About the author

Alexandria Letkeman began homeschooling with her family in middle school and has recently graduated with honors in 2020. Together with her husband, she has developed a passion for financial literacy, classical writing, and the freedom that homeschooling provides. In pursuit of those passions, she and her husband aim to continue the legacy of The HomeScholar and continue helping homeschool parents homeschool with confidence. One day, Alex plans to start a homesteading farm in Texas featuring mini cows.

Carolyn VanGorkom

The Hidden Power of Music in Learning

“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth” Psalm 96:1.

Music has always been part of our homeschool life. Their dad is a worship pastor, so our kids practically grew up on stage. They’ve been on our church music team since they were tweens, playing instruments and singing. At home, though, music was low-key: singing rounds on road trips, learning to listen for pitch, taking piano lessons, or goofing off on instruments with Dad.

Music has quietly shaped every part of our homeschool—training our hearts, bringing joy, and opening our family to worship in everyday moments. But you don’t have to be a “musical family” to enjoy the blessings that music brings. Even simple singing or listening can help children grow in remarkable ways:

• Language and literacy: Songs build rhythm, vocabulary, and memory.
• Math and logic: Music patterns strengthen counting and sequencing.
• Focus and discipline: Practice encourages patience and perseverance.
• Brain development: Classical music can support concentration and reasoning.
• Emotional growth: Music provides a healthy outlet for expression and confidence.

Now that my kids are young adults, I can see how music shaped much more than their stage presence. It trained their ears, minds, and hearts to listen, cooperate, and create.

Music also opens the heart to God in a unique way. In worship, He often speaks truth where words alone cannot reach. Whether it’s a hymn around the piano, a sing-along in the car, or background music during lessons, every note can point a child toward beauty, order, and joy: the very things God designed music to reflect. 

SchoolhouseTeachers.com Related Courses:
Guitar
Sing It! Learn to Sing at Home
Schoolhouse Music Recorder Lessons on the Unit Studies: Music page.
Beginning Drum Lessons
Beginning Violin

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About the author

Carolyn VanGorkom lives in northern California with her worship-pastor husband and two children, both homeschool graduates. Before homeschooling, she was a credentialed math teacher. She joined SchoolhouseTeachers.com as a lesson designer and quality assurance manager. She is currently the director. Her other interests include music, writing, and history.

Music is more than notes and rhythms! it builds memory, discipline, and even math skills, while giving your child an outlet for creativity and worship. On SchoolhouseTeachers.com, you’ll find courses like Beginning Violin, Guitar, and Music Theory I and II that cater to beginners and advanced students alike. Dive into music with SchoolhouseTeachers.com.