Philosophy of Music Education
Music education is just as important as formal education to our society. Plato believed that in a state of nature, or ideal state, education of citizens included, and even emphasized, music and the arts. Among all the art forms, music was the first instituted in the public school system.
Music education is important for many reasons. Like formal education, music education enhances our knowledge about our heritage and culture. In every culture, there is some kind of music, whether written or not, it is an integral part. Like history, cultural music is passed on through the generations. It is also important when learning about other cultures, but also their music, which is unique to every culture. Sometimes cultural music varies within itself.
Music helps students express themselves where it would otherwise be difficult. Because of this, music has the ability to improve the quality of students’ lives. Music is also a means of communication, one of the few that is understood worldwide. Through music, students can communicate sadness, joy or even anger. All students should be given this opportunity to connect with others on a different level. Without music, students would have a void within themselves that couldn’t be filled with other things.
I believe that every student should receive a musical education, and that every student who wishes to perform deserves the opportunity. Hopefully the means are available to allow every interested student to perform with an instrument in band. Often students who don’t participate in a school ensemble take a general music class, which I believe should work to develop a comprehensive appreciation of music. These students could learn to enjoy more classically or jazz-oriented music through study of the history of the popular music they regularly enjoy. I can begin to model how to analyze things like form, melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, instrumentation and lyrics. Once motivation and understanding is established, other styles of music can then be successfully integrated into the students’ musical diet. Ultimately, it is my hope that this appreciation will lead to a life-long engagement in music, so that one day these students will buy a ticket to the philharmonic, or perform in a community band.
Music’s uniqueness is contained in the way that it navigates many facets of human life and the world in which we live. A comprehensive music program involving performance, listening, creativity and a deeper understanding of music provides the best insight into this art. For this reason, music education is a necessary part of any complete school curriculum.
Music education is important for many reasons. Like formal education, music education enhances our knowledge about our heritage and culture. In every culture, there is some kind of music, whether written or not, it is an integral part. Like history, cultural music is passed on through the generations. It is also important when learning about other cultures, but also their music, which is unique to every culture. Sometimes cultural music varies within itself.
Music helps students express themselves where it would otherwise be difficult. Because of this, music has the ability to improve the quality of students’ lives. Music is also a means of communication, one of the few that is understood worldwide. Through music, students can communicate sadness, joy or even anger. All students should be given this opportunity to connect with others on a different level. Without music, students would have a void within themselves that couldn’t be filled with other things.
I believe that every student should receive a musical education, and that every student who wishes to perform deserves the opportunity. Hopefully the means are available to allow every interested student to perform with an instrument in band. Often students who don’t participate in a school ensemble take a general music class, which I believe should work to develop a comprehensive appreciation of music. These students could learn to enjoy more classically or jazz-oriented music through study of the history of the popular music they regularly enjoy. I can begin to model how to analyze things like form, melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, instrumentation and lyrics. Once motivation and understanding is established, other styles of music can then be successfully integrated into the students’ musical diet. Ultimately, it is my hope that this appreciation will lead to a life-long engagement in music, so that one day these students will buy a ticket to the philharmonic, or perform in a community band.
Music’s uniqueness is contained in the way that it navigates many facets of human life and the world in which we live. A comprehensive music program involving performance, listening, creativity and a deeper understanding of music provides the best insight into this art. For this reason, music education is a necessary part of any complete school curriculum.