Music Education’s Connection to Ancient Bible Music Education-part 4

Music Education’s Connection to Ancient Bible Music Education-part 4

            It is a misunderstanding of a host of public school music educators that since education in public schools must follow the rules of separation of church and state, they are not legally allowed to perform any sacred music or include anything that is mentioned in the Bible in their music classes. 

            “The First Amendment does not forbid all mention of religion in the public schools; it prohibits the advancement or inhibition of religion by the state. A second clause in the First Amendment prohibits the infringement of religious beliefs. The public schools are not required to delete from the curriculum all materials that may offend any religious sensitivity. For instance, the study of art history would be incomplete without reference to the Sistine Chapel, and the study of architecture requires an examination of Renaissance cathedrals. Likewise, a comprehensive study of music includes an obligation to become familiar with choral music set to religious texts. The chorales of J. S. Bach, the “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Frideric [sic] Handel’s Messiah, spirituals, and Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service all have an important place in the development of a student’s musical understanding and knowledge.”  http://www.nafme.org/about/position-statements/sacred-music-in-schools   

                So, there are many things that concern the history of music that are written in the Bible that can and should be included in American music education both public and private.  These inclusions are both legal and helpful when considering world music.  It seems odd to me that public school music teachers are encouraged to include the music of a host of world cultures and at the same time they are under mandate by some school system administrator to totally exclude any performance or mention of Bible music.