Parents are the primary source of musical
upbringing, but they should not be the only source. Today’s schools, both
public and private, have a responsibility to educate their students musically.
Christian musicians are especially needed to answer the call in our schools. It
may not be easy to work in a small church or Christian day school, but lack of
resources and big enrollment numbers should not discourage musicians from
bringing music to the scholastic table. Every student needs the opportunity to
develop their own musical talents and to have positive musical experiences.
“Although music instruction in school is important to the development of those
students who are talented in music, its primary purpose is to improve the
quality of life for all students by developing their capacities to participate
fully in their musical culture.” Walker, D. E. (1989) Teaching Music: Managing the
Successful Music Program 2nd ed., Belmont, California: Wadsworth
Group/ Thomson Learning,p.317.
Our
Christian students must have a basic music education in order to become
well-informed and God-honoring adult music consumers. How can students be
expected to develop a music philosophy if they have not been given the tools to
understand the fundamentals of music? In his book Music Matters, Elliot says,
“Without developing some competency in the procedural knowings that lie at the
core of musical practices and musical works, and a first-hand knowledge of the
circumstances in which these knowings apply, a listener’s perspectives on and
relationships with music will remain moot in the most essential regard.” Elliott,
David . Music Matters: A New Philosophy
of Music Education. New York: Oxford University Press, USA.1995, p. 57)
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