Making music is a magical skill–one that takes time, practice, patience, and a whole lot of effort. But one anyone can learn. And the pleasure of playing isn’t the only reward that can be reaped or skill learned through the process. There are countless musical and social benefits that come from music classes for kids–especially in a group setting such as a summer music camp.
This week, we’re going to explore eight of them.
The Benefits of Summer Music Camp
Social Support
Summer music camp can provide another place and a similar family atmosphere to lean on in times of emotional trouble. Just like with any family, there will be both ups and downs. However, friends made during summer camp can create a unique place that will support them during all the good times and bad.
The friends that make up summer music camp can lean on each other as they experience new things together. What’s more, depending on the setup of the camp, younger students have the opportunity to learn from their older peers who may have been through it already.
Self-Confidence
Summer music camps of all shapes and sizes offer their participants the incredible benefit of participating on a winning team. The winning isn’t as apparent as in sports; it comes from progressing together and making music as a collective.
Even in music camps for younger children, each member of the group is a part of the greater whole. They experience success and failure together and learn how to handle ups and downs together. But most importantly, they can take pride in knowing that they contributed to something greater than they could do on their own; they can take ownership as a part of the group.
Playing with others also boosts children’s confidence in their own abilities in other areas of their lives. They learn they can accomplish their goals with a clear plan and some discipline. Furthermore, they can apply those lessons to tackle projects and adversities outside music with both direction and purpose.
Commitment
Another skill that summer music camp can teach comes from committing to practice and then following through. Each member of the group learns by committing to their shared practice schedule, accepting responsibility for completing their own tasks, and making a promise to each other to see things through to the end together.
Sticking together when things aren’t so fun, or the rewards aren’t so easy to see, is a valuable lesson that will benefit kids well beyond their band practice.
Discipline
Some of the hardest things about playing in a band or ensemble are the responsibilities. The long rehearsals, the need to get their part right, the idea that “early is on time; on time is late,” and all while keeping your manners and respecting each other.
Each of these things take discipline, and the discipline learned in summer music camp act as a foundation for times later in life when that discipline is needed; through college, at work, and even as a parent.
Conflict Resolution
Whether your child’s summer music camp has five or one hundred campers, conflicts are bound to crop up. Learning to work through these issues is an important part of life. This skill will help in future conflicts within their families, with their friends, and in those inevitable situations when they will have to work with people they just don’t like.
Through group muisc, children not only learn the ideas behind conflict resolution but have plenty of opportunities to practice them. They gain valuable coping skills; like how to “blow off steam” in a productive and healthy way, and how to calmly resolve disputes.
Flexibility & Creative Problem Solving
Any group that performs together will need to learn to embrace any feedback they receive. Rather than rigidly insisting that their performance was flawless, they need to learn to take constructive criticism seriously and apply it to making adjustments where needed.
Kids at summer music camp must learn to be flexible and apply problem-solving skills to tweak their performances. This ability to be flexible and learn from others’ criticisms and comments is a critical skill that will help any child well beyond their time in music class.
Life Isn’t Always Fair–or Fun
We’ve all heard it before: life isn’t always fair. Learning to deal with disappointment, as well as creating a system for handling disappointment, is an important part of playing music, especially as a group. They’ll struggle as some members learn things quickly, and others lag behind. If they perform, sometimes they’ll be at their best, and other times they won’t. If they compete in a “battle of the bands” or talent show, their best may not be enough to win. Learning to bounce back from these let-downs and setbacks is a benefit that will help well into adulthood.
There’s nothing quite like playing in a band to teach the value of teamwork. And it’s never too early!
Looking for a summer music camp for you kids? The Music Studio offers a wide range of day camps, from musical theatre to rock bands and everything in between! Check them all out here, and sign up while there’s still room!