Religious-themed Music and School Programs/Performances

Dr. Christopher M. Manno,Superintendent of Schools

Burlington Township School District

There has been recent controversy in our County and State regarding the inclusion of religious-themed music in holiday concerts. Please see this article: http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/bordentown-twp-school-bans-religious-music-at-winter-concert/article_e6cec6b3-dcfd-55ed-8e4d-9644b284f730.html.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) states,

“Religious music or drama may be included in school events, but the reason for including that music must be to advance a secular educational goal. Such events must not promote or denigrate any particular religion, serve as a religious celebration, or become a forum for religious devotion.”

Additionally, the ADL states that music, art, or literature with religious themes must be presented in a manner that is, “religiously neutral” and in a “prudent and objective manner” that relates to “sound, secular educational goals.” Further, the ADL states,

“Indeed, the study of religiously inspired material can, in the correct setting, be made a part of a secular educational program.”

While it is understandable that in order to meet these restrictions, it may be simply easier to ban all religious music from Holiday concerts. However, that would not be the right course of action for students or the school community.

Music is a cultural artifact, and as such tells a story about culture and history. It is very appropriate to include selections that are of a religious nature in holiday concerts. Many cultural norms and the human experience throughout history have occurred in the context of religion. Some of the greatest musical works are religious in nature, and much can be learned from them. To not allow students to study and perform such pieces would not be educationally sound.

Schools should be proactive to ensure that students can continue to perform, study, and enjoy many varieties of musical selections, secular and religious-themed. To ensure that schools can defend any challenge to musical selections, the following simple steps should be adhered to:

1. Ensure a diverse selection of pieces for holiday concerts. Reinforce this clearly with the music staff. Performance of religious pieces can never turn the corner from performance to worship.

2. Teachers should identify in advance the reason for each selection, i.e., what were the musical goals of the selection? Did the selection require some specific skills or understanding that students learned through its study and performance? Does the selection reflect some instructional goals about history or culture? Teachers should document this through regular lesson plans.

Our school district recognizes that the study and performance of religious music of all types contributes to curricular goals, and can tell an important story about humankind and culture. Banning such music from study or performance would do an educational disservice to students and the school community.