Getting
Started Musically part 3
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.
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)
Thought
for the Day
It should not surprise Christian
parents when we are reminded that it is our responsibility to train our own
children musically. Lowell Mason
introduced music education in the Boston public schools after the church and
parents failed to train their children musically.
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