On page 22 of the Deocracy and Music Education Book he talks about justifying music: "This however is not to suggest that all musical ideas or truths claims are equally valid or good or that 'we have a duty to justify everything'." This statement really just brought me back to all of our dicussions on how does someone decide what good music is or what is worth teaching/learning. To bring it the step further though do you think we have a duty to justify the music? Should it be justified by the Democratic principles and criteria?
posted by Theresa Milano @ 8:56 PM
5 Comments:
I don't think that it is a DUTY that we must fufil. I feel that because good music and what is worth teaching are ultimately opinions, perhaps it is needed to explain why we teach what and where...but only to our principles or other fellow music educators. I think that teaching will speak for itself and if someone can't understand why we would teach a certain thing or why some music is valuable then, yes, maybe we would need to explain the why. I do not think that educators should go out of their way to justify the music, it is definitely not something I would call a duty.
For whatever reason, I can't post I can only comment so I'll post my questions here. On page 14, Woodford says "the Enlightenment and it's notions of individualism, reason, justice,and democracy has not always been favorable to women and minorities." How can we as educators these notions and ideas be altered in a way that will help not only women and minorities but everyone?
On page 18 Woodford says, "Music educators and other teachers ought to be constantly on the lookout for new works, too, including ones from other social groups and cultures, the study of which can also inform while provoking self-examination, reflection, and mutual growth - which can motivate conversation." Because I have worked with you during almost all of my teaching experiences, I've gotten to know you and I know that you know much about classical, rock, and metal music. I was just wondering what you thought of this point and how we as educators can keep current on popular music and find new and interesting music that will shock and excite the students.
I think it is incredibly important for music educations and other teachers to be constantly ont he lookout for new wordks from other social groups and cultures. Sometimes we get stuck into "good music boxes" and we are unable to break out of them. For example at the school many people see choral or classical music to be the only good music available to them. I do like music that many people see as unconvential for a music major but it gives me a chance to see more of what is available. If students are given the chance to experience all types of music they will be able to break down the walls that have been created on what is good and bad. They will be able to appreciate many different types of music, and find themselves through the different music that they experience. A good way to find new and interesting music is just to be out there where the new music is. Going to see concerts, flipping through Itunes and doing the test listening. Something that I have always found very helpful is the list feature on Amazon. You can see what people think is the best of a genre of music. From there you can listen to all the different bands/songs. Each one you click on and go to leads you to many more options. It is so easy to get lost in this, but its very informative and it can really open you up to many different types of music and artists within those genres. The only way to know what will excite them is to let them experience a multitude of things.
Question #1: By treating everyone equal in the classroom starting early and not discriminating. Taking account special needs for special groups to make sure the playing ground is fair.
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