This dissertation analyzes data in order to answer the research question, "Do eighth grade students who have participated regularly in their school band programs for four consecutive years achieve higher scores in New Jersey's Grade Eight PARCC Assessment than students of similar ability who do not play a musical instrument?" Data was gathered at Camden's Promise Charter School, a mid-sized public charter school in Camden, NJ. PARCC scores from students who took instrumental music lessons were analyzed and compared to the general population. It was found that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the ELA scores from 3rd, 4 th, and 5th grades, but the students who began instrumental music lessons at the end of 5th grade and beginning of 6 th grade scored significantly higher in the 6th, 7 th, and 8th grade. The music student's math scores were significantly higher in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade before they chose to play an instrument. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]