Note: this text was written in 1994 and does not reflect my current ideology, but rather it represents an old thought process which has led to my current philosophy which differs now from this old text. I leave this article online however because it has proved an interesting read for some of my visitors and it reminds me of myself a decade ago.
"One of the reasons I like music is it gives young people self-confidence, and a sense of the reward you get for disciplined effort."
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (2000)
"Learning improves in school environments where there are comprehensive music programs."
John Sykes
"I get the most joy out of my violin. I often think in music, I see my life in terms of music."
Albert Einstein
Perhaps this document could be more accurately named "my" Philosophy of Music Education. The following text is presented merely as a brief synopsis of Music Education from my perspective. A few years ago Dr. Jeff Bush, my music education professor, asked me "Why should music be taught in the schools?" I didn't have an answer. I realized then that I had never thought about it...I had just taken for granted the value of music in my own education. The following discussion shouldn't be viewed as a universal philosophy, but these kinds of questions and concerns are important to address -- if not for yourself, then perhaps for students or administrators.
Music education is an important aspect of student growth. As a music student, performer, and teacher, I know the the prevalence of music education in my own life. I have a good sense of how music education has affected my growth as a person and can therefore understand the reasons for including music in the school curriculum. I would like to illustrate the importance of music education and address the many ways that music can benefit our students.
The most controversial issue when speaking of music education is whether or not music should be taught in schools -- why music should be taught. Art, whether it be visual or audio, is the only discipline which facilitates the understanding of an aesthetic experience. Aesthetics is the study of the relationship of art to the human senses; therefore, music, and the other strands of art, "understands our feelings like science understands nature" as Bruce Pearson once said. It is important that students are exposed to music so that they may understand and communicate their own feelings. Aesthetics allows us an insight to our emotional self and fosters the development of interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences. These skills cannot be truly developed in any other faculty; and yet, they can be transferred to all other faculties.
Another issue of much debate is the question: to whom should music be taught? I personally believe that music education should be available to all students, not just those few students who are a part of the performance groups. All students should experience music in the elementary schools and should be given the opportunity to further their musical studies in secondary schools. In the elementary level, students should be required to participate in and experience the arts. In high school I feel that music education should be an option which is available to students who are interested in a further understanding of music. Not all students will be willing to participate in ensembles or performance groups; therefore, I would suggest that a general music program is more appropriate in the secondary level. A general music program will appeal to and be able to facilitate the ambitions of a larger percentage of students. Performance programs should also be available to music students but should be considered extra-curricular.
The next issue in music education is the content of the music curriculum -- what should be taught. In a general music program I feel that it is necessary to simply expose students to music. Students should understand some history of both World and Western music, recognize the common genres such as Pop, Classical, Jazz, Folk, and appreciate the impact that music has on society. The goal of a general music program should be to expose the students to a broad range of musical experiences.
The general music program should be activity-based in order to show students or allow the students to realize and acknowledge how music affects our lives. It isn't enough to merely tell the students; they need to experience the effects of music themselves. Simple composition activities would introduce the students to the complexities of musical theory, the elements of music, such as rhythm or harmony, and orchestration; simple performance activities would provide students with basic understanding of the preparation, pressures, and excitement which is inherent in music performance. Through these types of activities the students will learn how music affects us as individuals and perhaps as a society.
I remember Bruce Pearson in a seminar saying that the teachers' "mission to educate has been replaced by a mandate to train" and he spoke passionately about the need to change that negative direction and re-evaluate music education's purpose in our schools. It is for this reason that I believe that music should be a part of the school curriculum. Our educational system, ideally, should provide all students with a broad range of knowledge and experience. Music, Visual Art, Dance, Drama, and all of the sub-genres of these four strands help to contribute to the personal growth of our students.