In 2018, researchers at MIT set out to gather hard evidence of the previously established but largely self-reported link between music education and improved cognitive, emotional, and academic skills.
They assigned 74 children, aged 4-5 years old, to one of three groups: the first received weekly piano lessons, the second received weekly reading instruction, and the third received neither piano nor reading support. The researchers found that the children in the piano group “showed a significant advantage over children in the extra reading group in discriminating between words that differ by one consonant.” Children in the piano group and the reading support group also “performed better than children who received neither intervention when it came to discriminating words based on vowel differences.”
These findings were echoed on a larger and broader scale in 2020, when the educational records of over 110,000 students in British Columbia “identified evidence of positive relationships between school music participation and high school exam scores in English, mathematics, and science.”
Over a century before these precise and far-reaching studies confirmed the link between exposure to music and academic progress, Dr. Maria Montessori observed the same connection in her small sample size of children. In this piece, we’ll take a closer look at Dr. Montessori’s immersive approach to music education, and explore how that philosophy informs the trailblazing Montessori music program at Washington Montessori School.
The Montessori Approach to Music
Along with her music consultant and longtime educational collaborator, Anna Maria Maccheroni, Dr. Montessori authored 35 different booklets on music education throughout her lifetime. Published together for the first time in 2020 as The Montessori Approach to Music, these writings give form to Dr. Maria Montessori’s central idea that music education should prioritize instilling “enjoyment” over “talent.”
“We tend to think that the realm of music is the privileged area of some happy few. Experience has taught us, however, that if offered the right kind of education from a very early age onwards, anyone is capable of entering the realm of music. Not everyone has the talent to practise music at an artistic level, or create new work, but everyone can reach a stage where they can enjoy it. ”
The Montessori Approach to Music also presents a practical program for teaching children music, “based upon the understanding that young children learn first through their experiences and senses.”
For Dr. Montessori, those sensorial experiences began with movement: “It is movement that interests the child in music, and it is by movement that the very tiny child can arrive at understanding music with considerable delicacy.” Dr. Montessori goes on, “It is not only by playing and singing for the child that this happens; he must understand it by his own movements.” Intentional movement is a core component of the Montessori Method, so it’s no surprise that Dr. Montessori put such heavy emphasis on understanding music through physical expression and sensory experience.
Many pieces of sensorial work — classroom materials designed to develop the five senses through exposure and interaction — teach children to distinguish things like tone and pitch before those skills are formally attached to musical instruction. Take, for example, the Montessori Bells. Typically introduced at the Lower School level, the Montessori Bells help children develop their sense of auditory discrimination, and indirectly support academic skills like coordination and concentration.
The WMS Music Program
In keeping with Montessori philosophy, we believe music education should be experiential, joyful, and integrated with the child’s developmental journey.
The WMS music program not only teaches musical literacy, it fosters a lifelong appreciation for music as a means of transcendent expression, connection, and joy. Through singing together, listening deeply, and exploring the rich traditions of music from around the world, our students learn to:
- Think creatively and solve problems through improvisation and composition
- Collaborate meaningfully with peers in ensembles and performances
- Appreciate diversity by engaging with music across cultures and histories
- Express themselves confidently, building both skill and emotional intelligence
For 45 years, the WMS music program has been under the direction of renowned Montessori music and movement specialist Matilda Giampietro, PhD. Matilda meticulously designed our program to nurture each child’s innate appreciation for music, and her visionary pedagogy has served as an inspiration for Montessori educators around the world.
“I have been fortunate to teach in many places around the world, but Washington Montessori School is the most important place for me because it is a supportive, engaged and joyful community of educators and parents, and because this is where I learn the most from my students. Music affects children, and all of us, profoundly. Music and movement are entwined in all levels of communication. Body posture, gesture, tone of voice, tempo, and spacing of words, the rise and fall of the pitches on which we speak, are all essential to good communication. Some say they communicate more than the words themselves.”
The WMS Music Program by Level
Starting in Lower School (3-6 years), children begin attending weekly music classes where they explore rhymes, poetry, songs, singing games, and stories. Additionally, on Thursdays, all Lower School classes gather together to sing as a group, developing the collaborative skills that come from singing as one voice.
When Lower School students reach their third year, they begin violin lessons as part of their regular Specials program during the school week. They are instructed in the fundamentals of violin by James and Krystyana Czeiner (‘95), Grammy-award-winning, Juilliard-trained violinists, and WMS parents.
As students move into Lower Elementary (6-9 years), they explore rhythm, melody, and movement through global folk songs and dances, and deepen their musical skills through a dedicated chorus program where they practice vocal technique, pitch, and harmony. Music classes incorporate the Montessori Bells, Tone Bars, Orff instruments, and Kodály methods, and often involve improvised dances — connecting movement and sound in deeply creative ways. Lower Elementary students also attend a biweekly listening class that exposes them to a wide range of musical traditions.
This year, we expanded our violin program to Lower Elementary first years so that they can continue building on the skills they learned in Lower School. Our goal is to continue to grow this program as the students progress.
By Upper Elementary (9-11 years), students are ready to compose, improvise, and perform at a higher artistic level. They explore the recorder, percussion, and Orff instrumentarium, sing music from a variety of cultures and historical periods, and attend a weekly chorus rehearsal, where they practice important ensemble skills such as active listening, singing in unison and harmony, and collaborating with others.
In Middle School (11-14 years), music becomes both an art and a means of community building. As part of their Specials schedule, students take one music class per week. These classes — such as world drumming, guitar, and music production — allow students to explore the elements of performance and music theory that interest them most.
Middle School students also have the option to join a non-auditioned chorus that performs during school and community events, like singing carols during Washington’s annual Holiday in the Depot celebration or performing the National Anthem at Dunkin Donuts Park before Hartford Yard Goats games. Though optional, the vast majority of students choose to participate in the Middle School Chorus in some way, whether lending their voice, accompanying a piece with an instrument, or helping with technical production.
Beyond the Classroom
For families seeking deeper immersion, WMS also offers a robust array of optional instrumental lessons — such as drumming, guitar, piano, and violin — before and after school. We also offer music-based extracurricular activities, like our “musical movement” enrichment and the ever-popular Middle School Rock Band.
These auxiliary opportunities provide students with the chance to refine their technical skills, develop artistic discipline, and express themselves through music in increasingly personal ways.
The enduring impact of music education
Though each of our students gains an appreciation for music, for some, these early experiences ignite a spark of interest that grows into an enduring passion. Many of our graduates choose to continue studying music after leaving WMS, and some have even gone on to pursue careers in the performing arts.
If you have questions about the Montessori approach to music, or the WMS music program, we encourage you to contact Music Director Matida Giampietro. We also invite you to experience the magic of our Montessori music program firsthand during our annual spring arts festival, WMS Spark: A Festival of Art, Music, and Theater.
Beyond the Classroom
For families seeking deeper immersion, WMS also offers a robust array of optional instrumental lessons — such as drumming, guitar, piano, and violin — before and after school. We also offer music-based extracurricular activities, like our “musical movement” enrichment and the ever-popular Middle School Rock Band.
These auxiliary opportunities provide students with the chance to refine their technical skills, develop artistic discipline, and express themselves through music in increasingly personal ways.
The enduring impact of music education
Though each of our students gains an appreciation for music, for some, these early experiences ignite a spark of interest that grows into an enduring passion. Many of our graduates choose to continue studying music after leaving WMS, and some have even gone on to pursue careers in the performing arts.
If you have questions about the Montessori approach to music, or the WMS music program, we encourage you to contact Music Director Matida Giampietro. We also invite you to experience the magic of our Montessori music program firsthand during our annual spring arts festival, WMS Spark: A Festival of Art, Music, and Theater.
