Doug Young

Dr. Johnathan Vest

Music Education
21 October 2011

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the
imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything (Plato). Without music, our
world would be an emotionless and desolate place to live. Music can breathe to life
some of the most emotional and memorable moments in a persons life. Because music
is important to us as human beings, educating children at a young age is extremely
critical. Music is an incredible experience that anyone and everyone should have the
privilege to be a part of no matter their age, gender, disability, or IQ. When a music
educator is teaching, all aspects of music should be explored instead of putting
emphasis on certain areas more than others. This should all be taught with an open
mind, knowing that some students will understand and enjoy what is taking place more
than others. The results from a strong musical background could be monumental later in
the students lives.
Whether non-musicians admit it or not, music is essential to the quality of life in
our world today. Humans are not content merely to get by, to survive. Music, the visual
arts, and dance enrich life and bring to it special meanings by providing an avenue for
expression (Hoffer Pg. 3). In everyday life it is hard to find an area where music is not
strongly prominent. For example any movie, TV show, sporting event, etc. is going to be
filled with music of some sort. In order for a sturdy musical atmosphere to remain in
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todays society, it is important to teach children at a young age. Music education is no

different from subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic and should be viewed
with equal importance.
For those who have experienced it no explanation is needed, but for those who
have not, no explanation is possible. Musical experiences can be some of the deepest,
moving, and emotional times of a persons life. Because of this, everybody should have
the chance to be able to see music for what it really is. Disabilities, IQ, money, or other
problems that a child may encounter should not interfere with a students opportunity to
be a learner in a musical setting. All kids, no matter what age, have musical potential
and have their own abilities that set them apart from others. No child should be left
behind in the world of music and everyone should have an equal opportunity to be all
they can in their musical career.
The argument of what should be taught in the musical class room is a difficult
and extensive one. Since some schools have more funds and resources than others,
the curriculum that they can teach is much greater than that of less fortunate schools.
Also, many programs have a larger pool of students which can enable them to perform
literature that smaller ensembles do not possess the numbers for. With so much debate
about what is the right and wrong thing to teach, it is hard for an educator to decide his
or her program of study. When setting out clear objectives for the classroom, I believe it
is important for directors to instruct on all aspects of music as much as possible. For
example, a band or choir instructor should touch on jazz, classical, modern, or chamber
music just to name a few. The broader the musicians background is in the music
program, the more successful the ensemble can be as a whole.
How to teach music class or ensemble is tough because not all students are the
same. Every student learns at a different rate of understanding so evaluating how to
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teach a lesson can be a difficult task. Music education is more than just standing in front
of a group of kids and talking. The subject is a very interactive one and at times can be
very touching and emotional to the listener or performer. With that said, the way musical
teaching should be conveyed to students all depends on how talented or experienced
the group is. For instance, a fourth grade class should be taught in a different manner
than a middle school band. In that same spectrum, a high school band or choir with a
higher musical knowledge should be trained on a different level than a band program
that may just be starting up.
Every band and choir classroom in the world has different results and objectives
set out for their program. This is because not every director has the same views about
what should be expected out of their students. My personal belief is that all students in a
performing arts program should be held to a higher standard than the rest of their peers.
A higher knowledge of music should be the primary concern in the musical classroom in
order to produce superior musicians. Teaching quality material and literature can aid a
group in their younger developmental stages of learning an instrument and skill.
If people could say what they had to in words, they would not have to bother
saying it in music (Gustav Mahler). The power that music has over the world is without
doubt one of the most powerful forces in the universe. For that reason, the teaching of
music is tremendously vital if we as a society want the arts to stay strong in the future.
Anyone with a beating heart has the potential to be as great of a musician as they
dream to be. The teaching of musical arts in the classroom can help teach children
lessons that they will always carry with them for the rest of their lives. Music education
is an essential that can affect every person no matter what age, background, or ethnicity
if given the chance.

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Works Cited

1.)

Hoffer, Charles R. "The importance of teaching music." Introduction to music

education. N.p.: Waveland press Inc, 2009. 3. Print.

2.)

Brainyquote. Bookrags media, 9 Sept. 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2011.

<http://brainyquotes.com>.

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