Philosophy of Music Education

Michael Terrell

All students can and should learn music. Musical ability or potential is preset in every child and therefore must only be coached and honed, rather than forced upon a student. This is a mindset that should be taught to adults as well as children. The music classroom is the best place to learn 21st Century Skills. The Four Cs of 21st Century Skill (create, collaborate, communicate, and critical thinking) are taught easily and consistently in any music classroom. This is most evident when students play and collaborate through playing but is also demonstrated through student use of technology such notation software and other programs that help guide them as musicians. Critical thinking and problem solving are both emphasized strongly in music classrooms. Students must be individually strong as a player and be able to tell if they are in tune, on the beat, or if there is something they need to fix about what they are doing. Musical issues from note recognition to orchestral balance offer opportunities for students to think critically about the information that is being presented to them and what they can do to use that information. Music also offers training in skills that will be needed later in life. Social skills such as teamwork and communication are vitally important to music making and therefore are worked on and developed as part of a music classroom. It is these types of skills which will be useful later in life for student who have successful careers, not just in music, but in any field. Music will always be an important part of our culture, which means it should always be important in education. All countries and cultures value music in some form. This should be a constant reminder that music is not an extra or optional part a cultures education system, but instead, the music taught in schools should reflect the music that the culture as a whole wants to hear from the next generation. You dont have to be a great violinist to be considered educated in music. However, an educated member of society should know the difference between a Beethoven violin sonata, a Beethoven symphony, and a Haydn string quartet. How many times have you heard someone say, I wish I had kept playing ____ or even said that yourself after hearing a child play? Being able to express oneself through an instrument or through singing is a skill that many adults wish they could possess. Even playing a simple tune with family at a holiday gathering brings joy to not only the player, but those listening as well. Why would we not wish for the next generation to be able to experience that joy?