Students often like to listen to music while studying, working, or, as our survey from last month reported, while driving or whenever they can. One thing we did not discuss in depth was the use of music in class or school environments, specifically in art classes while working.
In many classes, teachers may play music during work or study times, usually instrumental music or calming music that won’t distract students while they’re working. Specifically, instrumental music is better because lyrical music can often be distracting or overstimulating for the brain, causing reading comprehension to decrease. This can be beneficial because music puts students in a better mood.
Even though instrumental music may be better for studying or reading, people still enjoy listening to lyrical music, especially while drawing, sculpting, or doing ceramics. Listening to music can still be distracting while partaking in the arts, but it can also be beneficial to the final product. The environment you work in can greatly affect your artistic process and can influence your mood and the energy of your work.
In Mrs. Trick’s upper school classes, students request certain musicians or genres frequently. The most popular genre requested is country music, contrasting an article from last month’s edition reporting that pop music and alternative music were listened to the most. Even though pop music was the most popular genre represented in the form sent out, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most popular genre in the entire upper school. While quite a few people filled out the form, it was only a fraction of the upper school population of 153 students. This leads to the issue that the article from the prior edition doesn’t have the entire upper school’s music preferences. This doesn’t make that article’s information incorrect, though, it just means it doesn’t account for every student.
During these classes, specifically ceramics, students have asked for country music to be played quite frequently. This has been consistent for about two years. Generally, students are focused while listening to music. Jazz or classical music tends to put students in a flow state. A flow state is when you become fully immersed in whatever action you are performing, you are giving your full attention to the action, and are engaged.
While this type of music makes students more focused, other types of music requested during classes tend to do the opposite. In middle school art classes, students request soundtracks to popular shows or movies. Popular ones include High School Musical, Hamilton, and Moana. While these songs are playing, students are noticeably more chatty and aren’t focused on their work. Many students will sing along, which can be distracting.
In conclusion, students enjoy listening to music during work times in class. It can be beneficial for them to have music in the background that will stimulate their minds. As long as the music is calmer and not distracting, students will be focused while working.
BestPaintByNumbers. “Amazing Connection – Music and Painting.” BestPaintByNumbers, 12 May 2025, bestpaintbynumbers.com/blogs/paintbynumbertips/the-amazing-connection-between-listening-to-music-and-painting?srsltid=AfmBOopJRTgEZBFIcRSh9lExsET-hCF96PGvHy6fmYtb8z3mAb7b7EJX.
“What Is a Flow State and What Are Its Benefits? – Headspace.” Headspace, www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state.