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Personal Philosophy of Music Education

Abbigayle M. Quinn

Department of Music, Northern State University

MUS 480: Secondary Choral Methods

Dr. Wendy van Gent

April 15, 2021

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Personal Philosophy of Music Education

Mission: My goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, and encouraging environment in which

students can discover and develop a lifelong appreciation of music.

I believe that music connects all of us and brings us together. The study of music

fosters an environment of acceptance and understanding of cultural diversity. I believe that

music participation emphasizes the ability to work with others as a member of a team. It can

teach the importance of a cooperative effort, acceptance of leadership, acceptance of

differences, and the need for self-discipline and responsibility. According to Lehman (2002),

“The personal skills most valued in the marketplace include creativity, flexibility, discipline,

and skill in working cooperatively with others-all skills emphasized in the arts.” (Lehman,

2002)

In alignment with the findings of Dr. Edwin Gordon (2021), I believe that all students

have an aptitude for music. (The Gordon Institute for Music Learning, 2021) All students

have the potential to succeed in music, because all students have some level of music

aptitude. My goal is to do my best to teach every single student with equal fervor and

passion. I want every student to achieve the highest possible music ability that they can. I

agree with the methods of Kodaly (2021). Students should be taught music from a very

young age. At this young age, students can sing. I believe that the foundation of musical

learning begins with singing. (Organization of American Kodály Educators, 2021) According

to both Kodaly (2021) and Gordon (2021), students should experience music sequentially.

Another goal of mine is to teach thoroughly through sequencing.

Personally, music inspires me. I love having the ability to wake up every day to

experience it and create it. It is an honor and a privilege to get to do so in our schools. It is

even a bigger privilege to able to influence the growth and development of the student

outside the music classroom. My goal is to give every student their best experience possible.
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According to Bridget Sweet (2016), “With a little strategic effort, as music teachers we can

contribute positively to students’ musical and personal development as well as their

involvement in more meaningful experiences” (p. 24). (Sweet, 2016) I resolve to establish an

enjoyment and appreciation in my students for music across all genres.

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References

The Gordon Institute for Music Learning. (2021, February 10). Music Aptitude. The Gordon
Institute for Music Learning. https://giml.org/mlt/aptitude/.

Lehman, P. R. (2002). A Personal Perspective. Music Educators Journal, 88(5), 47–51.

https://doi.org/10.2307/3399826

Organization of American Kodály Educators. (2021). The Kodály Concept. Organization of

American Kodály Educators. https://www.oake.org/about-us/the-kodaly-concept/.

Sweet, B. (2016). Growing Musicians: Teaching Music in Middle School and Beyond.
Oxford University Press.