Music at QPA

Most people enjoy listening to music. Music allows you to express your feelings through words and sound. However, music is also a powerful career option.  Though music may not seem like the traditional career path like law, engineering or medicine, this profession offers unique possibilities. Through music, you can express yourself while sending messages to audiences around the world.

In Queen Preparatory Academy’s Music Enrichment Program, students learn what it takes to be a musician. In Mr. Benson’s music class, they gain hands-on experience playing the variety of instruments available  Some may say music started during the paleolithic period but at QPA,  music education has been part of the curriculum forever.

According to Mr. Benson, music is “fun and educational.”  Music can even help students with their studies. There are over 1,000 music genres in the world. The most popular music genres in the U.S. are rock, pop, country, R & B (rhythm and blues), soul, and Hip-Hop. In QPA’s music enrichment class, students have a voice about what they perform in class. Though most of the pieces are chosen by the teacher, students are also able to choose the songs they want to play. 

Mr. Benson states that as a child, music “kept him out of trouble.” Instead of doing something immature or untoward, he was involved with music. He admits he was playing music during most of his leisure time, which helped him relax and keep his sanity.

People all over the world love and listen to music regularly. People attend concerts to listen to music at significance expense. Some even travel to other continents to hear their favorite artists. According to a study conducted by Uhealth, music actually allows you to enjoy something you hate to do: like cleaning and doing chores. It aids the function of both the mind and body. People exercise by dancing or listening to motivating beats while working out.  Music can also help some students concentrate.

According to QPA student Isaiah Callender,  “Music is part of our culture.” It allows one to be  expressive and acquire more skills during the creative process. An aspiring graphic designer, Isaiah enjoys listening to his favorite songs as he practices his craft.

QPA’s enrichment program allows students to be a part of this incredible process. This year, Mr. Benson’s music class played beloved songs such as Bill Withers’  “Lean on Me,”  Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift, among others. However, more importantly, no musical experience is required. Learning the notes and chords give students the opportunity to do something new at their leisure.

Mr. Benson believes students choose music as an enrichment course because they can learn new things. They can also make new friends. In being exposed to this course, students can learn about what they like, enjoy the music around them, and grow as individuals in the process.

In today’s world, musicians make millions of dollars, so this opportunity that exposes students to the skills needed to be a musician may be considered priceless.  Even if you can’t play like Ludwig van Beethoven, you can acquire the skills of a professional musician and create a future for yourself. All things are possible.