Special-needs students reap benefits of music classes

YORKTOWN, NY — Angeline Brown went from child to child, working her way around the semicircle and giving each one a chance to strum her guitar while she fingered the chords and sang along. And each time it was another's turn to "play," eyes brightened.
Sandagata said the program works because music engages students socially, cognitively and other ways and helps them learn to focus, listen, collaborate and be confident. The music itself, actually, is less the goal than these processes the students are developing.