Music teachers- Should we use the stats on music helping with other disciplines or do "Art for art's sake?"

If you're talking about the motivation for why we help other young musicians learn their craft, I have to say the primary reason always has to be to help them grow and mature as artists.

Yes, the "Mozart effect" and "Bach and math" connection are all interesting correlations, as well as the recent comment in the movie "Word Play" that the best puzzle solvers are computer programmers and musicians.

But we aren't musicians because it makes us better at math...we are musicians because it is a language of expression and the creation of art.

I say let's pass THAT on to another generation.

I'm not a teacher, but both of our children are in choir and band. I recently heard (for the first time) the stats to which you refer. I was sold! "Art for art's sake" is a dying art (pun intended). In this day and age, people want hard evidence and proof. Use the stats. Good luck.