Philosophy of Music Education

            The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines music as “the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.” This is all well and good, but what does one do with it? How does one teach it? Or, better yet, teach a student how to use and create music? There are a few things that are things I believe about the importance of music education. They are as follows:

• The inclusion of music education in a school’s curriculum is a must. General music classes should exist in every school.

• It is important for students to understand the relationship between music and other subjects.

• It is important for musicians to be allowed to exercise their abilities, no matter how much they vary from the norm.

• To truly appreciate music, students should be exposed to many genres and styles from around the world.

• No student, no matter what the circumstances, should be discouraged from learning and playing music.

These beliefs are the foundation my philosophy of music education.

            Music is an important part of everyday life. No matter where one is, they will hear music, whether it is in the elevator of an office building, a local grocery store, the music that played as the credits rolled after last night’s movie, or the radio in Mom’s van on the way to school. With so much music in the atmosphere, it is important that students learn a little about it and an appreciation for it. Many schools have general music classes for elementary students, but these classes cease to exist just as student’s minds are developing to the point where they begin to think abstractly and produce complex ideas for themselves. General music education should be present from elementary school through middle school and into high school. When students enter elementary school, they are at a stage of development during which the child believes the world revolves around he or she. General music classes for students of this age are a wonderful way open their eyes and show them the world in which we all live. With its deep cultural roots, music has the ability to teach in ways far different than even the best world history classes. Few things can define and tell the stories of a culture as music can. Enabling such a thing to happen will give children a much broader understanding of the world before they really need to enter it. I also believe that high school students should be required to take at least a general music class before graduation. Adolescents are at a stage in life where abstract thinking becomes possible and students can form a deeper understanding of the world by connecting multiple concepts. By including music into the curriculum at a higher level, students are able to make connections between music and other subjects of studies.

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