Introduction

Play It Again Arkansas and Colaianni Piano & Music
Ventures of Little Rock, have jointly developed a
program to provide electronic piano teaching labs and
the use of acoustic pianos in public schools for grades
K – 6.

The program is now available to schools located in
Central Arkansas area.  Districts would include Little
Rock, North Little Rock, Cabot and Conway.
Program services provided by Colaianni include:

  • Instrument cartage and maintenance
  • Consultation and planning with Principal or Assigned Music Program Contact Person with regard to teaching material,
    teaching personnel
  • Annual school piano concert  

Student Deficiencies that the program addresses:

Funds for piano and music education have been in a decline across the United States since at least since the early 1980s.  Many
children lack opportunities to develop music skills and attitudes through both formal and informal music experiences, especially
during the elementary school years.

Investigators have conducted numerous excellent studies on this training, especially on children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

  • The effect of piano instruction on self-esteem.  A McGill University study (Costa-Giomi, 1999) found that children who
    had piano instruction had significantly higher self-esteem than children who were not enrolled in piano lessons.

  • The effect of music on general learning.  Music is its own discipline and need not to be justified to strengthen other
    skills or understandings. The learning of music, however, has found to have a broader effect, one beyond the aesthetic merit
    of music.

  • The effect of music instruction on spatial skills. Music instruction can supply intellectual components critical to a
    child’s development. During the last ten years, investigators have suggested that music instruction may have an effect on
    spatial skills or the ability to visualize an object from different perspectives. Hetland (2000), in a meta-analysis, examined
    15 studies relating music instruction and spatial skills. These studies were conducted by a variety of research teams using
    various treatments. Hetland found that active instruction in music does indeed have an effect on spatial skills for preschool
    and elementary-aged children.

  • Music appreciation.  Children are open to broad genres of music until the third or fourth grade. At that time, their interest
    in popular music increases and their interest in “non-popular” or “classical” music decreases (Greer, Dorrow, & Randall,
    1974; LeBlanc, 1981)

  • Concert preparation. Preparation and follow-up of a concert experience enhances the learning outcome. Sixth grade
    students who had received instruction before and after or just before a concert performed significantly better on tests
    measuring musical elements and style perceptions than students who only attended the concert (Shehan, 1986). This
    research is supported by similar conclusions in Hedden’s review of studies that dealt with listening experiences related to
    concert experiences (1980).

References

Costa-Giomi, E. (Fall, 1999). The effects of three years of piano instruction on children's cognitive development. Journal of Research in Music
Education. 47:3, 198-213.  Hetland, L. (2000). Learning to make music enhances spatial reasoning. In E. Winner & L. Hetland (eds.) Journal of Aesthetic
Education, 34 :3 & 4, 179-238.  Greer, D., Dorrow, L, & Randall, A. (1974). Music listening preferences of elementary school children. Journal of
Research in Music Education, 22, 284-291.  LeBlanc, A. (1981). Effects of style, tempo, and performing medium on children’s music preference.
Journal of Research in Music education, 29, 143-156.  Persellin, Diane C. - Trinity University - Research on Music Teaching and Learning During
Elementary School Years  Shehan, P. (1986). Music instruction for the live performance. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 88,
51-57.

Interested parties are urged to contact Play It Again Arkansas representatives via the Arkansas Governor's Office or Colaianni
Piano directly regarding:

  • Program Application Process Details
  • Student Eligibility
  • School Responsibilities
This is an exciting time
to explore research
on musical development
and music instruction
of children.

Interest in how children
learn and value music is
increasing in parents,
educators, and the
music industry.
Background

Play It Again Arkansas is an initiative created by the Governor’s Office which asks Arkansans
to donate their used musical instruments to schools across the state, so that those schools
can provide them to needy students.  Financial contributions are also solicited.  The initiative is
based on research which shows that a music education helps students do better in other
areas of academic study, as well as giving them a positive activity that builds confidence.  It
also teaches lessons about diligence, creativity and teamwork.

Colaianni Piano and Music Ventures, Inc. is the oldest and largest family-owned and operated
music store in Arkansas.  Colaianni’s beginnings date back to 1921 when Paul Colaianni
established Colaianni Music Studio in Lorain, Ohio.   The late Gilbert P. Colaianni, Sr., formed
the Arkansas company in 1954.  Colaianni represents the family of Steinway-designed pianos
exclusively in Arkansas.
TOP
Related Links:

Mike Huckabee's News Column
http://www.playitagain.org/
Steinway Pianos  |  Boston Pianos  |  Essex Pianos  |  Roland  |                                         |  A Sound Investment  |   Eight Keys to Remember  |  Request Literature  |  FREE Buying Guide Offer
Home Page  |  Site Map  |  Contact Us
"Steinway is the finest piano ever made.
Its tone is magnificent and its well-balanced
action superb."   Billy Taylor