The purpose of this study was to explore the potential measurable enhancements
to cognitive intelligence, achieved through the short-term exposure of elementary aged
students to classical music. The existing body of research found within the literature
suggested two things. The first research segment questioned whether small amounts of
music can have a measurable effect on the spatial/temporal cognitive intelligence of the
listener (Shaw, 2004). The second research segment proposed that long-term music
training (especially keyboard instruction), can have a positive effect on the traditional
academic areas of study (Cheek, 1999). In addition to these inquiries, there are selected
researchers who purport that listening to certain music (especially exciting or personally
preferable music), will cognitively arouse an individual to the point that they will perform
better on a test of intelligence (Nantais and Schellenberg, 1999).