How often we read an article which propounds an appealing notion, apparently with supporting evidence. A recent one is Joanne Lipman’s piece in the New York Times, “Is music the key to success?” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/is-music-the-key-to-success.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=2&
In it the author ties together training in music with outstanding
achievement in some other field. She opens: “Condoleezza Rice trained to be a
concert pianist. Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, was a
professional clarinet and saxophone player…”
The project certainly enabled her to have interesting chats
with several of the great and good. And, as I say, it’s a notion one would like
to believe in. Better focus and discipline, new ways of thinking and
communicating, improved listening and problem-solving, able to push beyond what
currently exists, making multiple connections in multiple spheres, an enriched
life, collaboration, creativity, the capacity to reconcile conflicting ideas…
What’s not to like?
Problem is: Lipman could just as easily have found a cohort
of trained musicians who were unsuccessful in other walks of life. Or, indeed,
another cohort of high achievers who had no training in music whatsoever.
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