Learning Through Music: A Five-Year Evaluation of the Cleveland Orchestra’s Learning Through Music Program

Abstract

This chapter describes a five-year evaluation of the Cleveland Orchestra’s Learning Through Music (LTM) program by a team from the Center for Arts Education Research at Teachers College, Columbia University. The LTM partnership focused on the collaborative development of music-integrated curriculum resources that supported the existing classroom curriculum. Outcomes were assessed through classroom observations, test scores, focus groups, interviews, and surveys. Data were collected from students, teachers, principals, parents, orchestra musicians, and administrators. The results showed that students’ interest in music increased and they developed skills and understandings in disciplines other than music. Teachers’ interest in music increased and their pedagogical skills were enhanced. LTM also had a positive effect on school communities and orchestra musicians felt more closely linked to the community and to children in the community.