Testing the theory that music school graduates are creative.

In recent years, the notion that "music school graduates are creative and therefore useful to society" has spread, and an increasing number of companies and universities are actively hiring music school graduates. However, when one digs deeper from a social science perspective, this story is not so simple.

What is the evidence that a music college graduate is creative?

First of all, what is the basis for the saying "music college graduates are creative"? Music colleges offer a lot of training to develop sensitivity, expressiveness, and the ability to improvise and create ideas. Classes in jazz and contemporary music are well suited to cultivate the ability to create new performances on the spot. However, it is necessary to look dispassionately at how well these are applied in the real world. It has been pointed out that when studying the art of musical reproduction (classical music, etc.) in particular, the ability to express oneself within a certain framework is required, and the room for freely creating ideas is actually not that wide. In other words, a music college education that specializes in the reproductive arts may have limitations in developing "truly free and flexible creativity.

Is it possible to combine creativity and stress tolerance?

Another selling point of music colleges is "stress tolerance through hierarchical relationships, master-disciple relationships, and long hours of practice," but this also raises questions. It is said that a free and open environment is necessary to nurture creative abilities, but in reality, many music colleges have very strict teacher-student relationships and strong athletic-like hierarchical relationships. It is undeniable that this kind of environment can suppress creativity and produce unconventional human resources. In other words, the issue of balancing "creativity" and "stress tolerance" is an issue that needs to be examined to see if it is truly feasible in the field of music colleges.

Hard-to-point out music college graduate, true charm

Looking at it from a different angle than creative and stress tolerance, the current situation is that many graduates of music colleges come from relatively affluent families. This is because music education imposes a heavy financial burden, including the high cost of lessons and the purchase of musical instruments, and as a result tends to attract many students from affluent families. These students are often also skilled in social manners and interpersonal communication, and may have the adaptability to the "social skills" and "continuous work" that companies require. In other words, it is possible that part of the motivation for companies to hire graduates of music colleges is actually not only "creativity" but also "the ability to fit in with the organization and stability".

summary

Whether or not the creativity of music college graduates is truly useful to society depends on how companies, universities, and other employers develop an environment in which these qualities can be put to use. Rather than emphasizing artistic sensibility alone, the environment and structure must be properly prepared.