Abigail Carter

Dr. van der Vat-Chromy

MUED 376
October 20, 2021

Music Education Philosophy Statement

As a content area, music education is living, breathing, and ever-evolving. The world is full of

unique musical traditions, innovative musical creators, and diverse participants in the musicking process,

whether that be through producing music or consuming it. With this plethora of listeners, musicians, and

educators, new ideas and sounds are born daily; since such great change occurs frequently, the pedagogy

of music education must also be living, breathing and ever-evolving.

There are practices and techniques within music education that remain tried and true, but what

evolves is their application. As educators, we hold these best practices in the forefront of our curricular

delivery but also give room and space to be flexible; we approach content differently, we change the way

we listen and keep an awareness of what musicking our students are participating in outside of the

classroom. We consider how music is the fabric of the world and how each student adds their own square

of cloth to that fabric through their personal and unique musical experiences; this motivates and

encourages us to engage in the work of decolonizing music education and to make every student feel

brave and welcomed.

At its’ most effective, the teaching of music encourages exploration and openness; as a young

musician, I found my greatest learning experiences in sitting with instruments or sounds and

experimenting with them until I had created something that I loved, or accomplished something that I

myself was proud of. Giving students the opportunity to try different musical methods and mediums

establishes a space for student-centered choices; the student can establish preferences based on

experiences in musicking instead of preconceived notions or assumptions about certain instruments,

styles, or methods. This explorative idea also tailors growth and progress to the unique needs of each

student; for example, two students can both be learning piano skills but have two different styles or goals

in mind, so their path to that goal will not look the same. Open musicking makes taking individual paths
feel safer for students, lifts them up when they feel accomplished, and cushions their fall when concepts

become more difficult. Even in a structured music classroom, we can incorporate facets of open

explorative music-making through discussion of repertoire, artistic choices in performance, and overall

technique. This openness helps to create a safe classroom environment for each student where mistakes

are welcomed and encouraged as a sign of effort and attempt.

A safe music classroom is one of inclusivity, great creativity, encouragement, and growth. As an

educator, it is essential to facilitate meaningful lessons and experiences for students through music—

experiences that they are able to apply not only in the classroom but transfer in their lives. The goal is not

only to guide and nourish the growth of excellent young musicians but (most importantly) play a role in

developing excellent human beings and global citizens who advocate for what is just and right. Students

benefit from engagement in not only repertoire and music theory, but also opportunities to serve their

community through music via performances and various service projects. Students can be challenged and

supported during their time in classes, all while cultivating an environment together where every voice is

heard, and every heart is filled with a unique passion. Classes that engage students through the

completion of transfer tasks across lessons and rehearsals create deep meaning and impact as students are

given the opportunity to grow musically in the areas of theory, sight-reading, artistic choices,

performance, and social-historical contexts of performed repertoire combined with discussion about and

reflection on bout the modern impacts of these works. It is important that students not only know

information or concepts, but are able to apply what they learn to all of our experiences. Together, through

music education, we will work towards unity and sustainable justice and change the world around us; we

can begin with creativity, compassion, empathy, and collaboration in song.