Throughout the history of the United States, music education has been used in public schools for multiple reasons such as to encourage nationalism and teach children how to be part of a social function. Music education in the twenty-first century has been reduced or cut from school curriculum in public schools in favor of more science, math and technology classes. It is important to discuss this topic because for many years, especially during the 1920s to the 1940s, music was an important aspect in children’s education as well as the public lives of Americans. Using this period rather than another in America’s history is vital to supporting this thesis because viewing how music education significantly contributed to the war effort and in the American citizens lives’ during that time provides an excellent example of the benefits of music in our society and why music education is a foundation that should be maintained.