Music is more than a pastime. It is a powerful, proven educational tool that helps children develop everything from language skills to cooperation. Because of this, it should be accessible to everyone, everywhere.
How can we bring music to more people? We can start by incorporating music education into daily life through spontaneous, joyful play — and this might be easier than we think.
Communities today are working harder than ever to meet people where they are, from urban greenways and bus stops to public plazas and facility entrances. That gives us an opportunity to reimagine these spaces as hubs for creativity, learning and, above all, play.
Why Music Matters
Music supports a child’s healthy development in extraordinary ways. It improves memory, focus and language; strengthens emotional resilience; enhances social and motor skills; and boosts both academic performance and creativity. And these benefits aren’t limited to childhood — they extend to people of all ages.
“Music is a universal language that can elicit profound emotional and cognitive responses,” observed the journal Brain Behavior and Immunity Health in December 2023. “(We explored) the intricate relationship between music and the brain, from how it is decoded by the nervous system to its therapeutic potential in various disorders.
“Understanding how music affects the brain can open up new avenues for music-based interventions in healthcare, education and well-being,” the authors continued.
Informal Music-Making
This doesn’t mean you need to find a piano or violin teacher or even attend formal music lessons or classes. The benefits of music are not limited to formal instruction. Informal, playful musical experiences in familiar environments can spark curiosity, nurture imagination and invite both exploration and collaboration.
According to a 2022 report in The International Journal of Music Education, children absolutely do benefit from experiences outside formal education settings. When they reviewed their data, the authors discovered the reasons informal music-making can be so important — and magical — for youth.
“Key elements… include interactions with friends, embodied music making, personal validation and the encouragement of future musical opportunities,” the authors said.
At its heart, music is a dynamic conduit for accessible, inclusive, intergenerational play when it is available in everyday public spaces.
Lowering Barriers
As anyone who has watched children at play (or remembers being a child at play) knows, kids can have fun absolutely anywhere. Playgrounds are vital community assets, but if we want to improve access to musical play and education, we must expand playspaces AND add other areas so music can be part of the day for more people.
Communities around the country are finding innovative ways to bring musical engagement into unconventional settings. All you need is a little imagination and the right resources.
- Greenways and walking trails: These will become kid-friendly destinations with the addition of interactive musical elements like the Burke PlayEnsemble® Babel Drums, Bongos or Flowergarden sculptures that encourage families to pause and play.
- Bus stops and transit shelters: Elements like Drum Tables and PlayEnsemble Titan Chimes can transform these spaces, offering stress relief and sensory engagement during wait times.
- Sidewalks and public plazas: Picture “music corners” with Sound Garden, PlayEnsemble and small dance zones to encourage spontaneous movement and joy.
- Entrances to libraries, schools and recreation centers: These public facilities can extend their learning environments into the outdoors with musical elements that invite curiosity and collaboration.
- Playgrounds and outdoor recreation spaces: This might not be unconventional, but it is important to add music into these spaces too! Parks and playgrounds are essential parts of communities, and adding music brings equity and inclusion to these spaces. Music gardens can be freestanding or part of a structure, and they serve as places for people of all ages and abilities to play music together.
Not everyone has access to school music programs or lessons. Public installations help lower and even eliminate barriers to participation.
When we incorporate musical play into these spaces, we are making music part of daily life. It doesn’t require a ticket, transportation or any prior experience. Everyone can enjoy a well-placed musical element and experience the joy, wonder and feelings of connection that it provides — from parents and caregivers to grandparents, siblings, extended family and friends.
Reimagining Public Spaces Through Music
This month, as we celebrate World Music Day and World Music Month, let’s work together to reimagine the role of public spaces — and how we transform them into musical playspaces for the community. After all, music shouldn’t be confined to a classroom.
Instead, it should be all around us — and always within easy reach.
Explore the ways Burke can help you create a more accessible and inclusive outdoor space. Contact your nearest Burke representative for more information.