ahead of their nonmusical peers when it came to testing and math science and english on average around a full academic year and demographic factors like gender ethnicity or socioeconomic background didn't play a role in whether or not the surge in performance occurred the researchers believe the benefits came from a variety of factors playing in an orchestra a band or ensemble encourages the development of skills like hand eye coordination listening and teamwork and those in turn apparently have a major effect on cognition and where the kids were more dedicated the effects were stronger in an era where resources for the arts are often cut in schools to promote more activities in math and the science says the study indicates it's high time for a rethink the best investment in those subjects could well be an investment in a good musical education. you're watching t.w. news just reminder one of the top stories we're following for you today iran has