Can Music Transform the Musician? Part 1

Can Music Transform the Musician? Part 1 

            “Fully understood, praxis combines several integrated themes: (1) active reflection and critically reflective action dedicated to (2) human well-being and flourishing, (3) the ethical care of others, and (4) the positive empowerment and transformation of people and their everyday lives.”  “Music education as/for Artistic Citizenship”,  Music Educator’s Journal, Vol. 99, No. 1,Sept. 2012, by  David Elliott  This pungent article is a plea to music educators to expand their music praxis beyond mere performance for enjoyment.  This expansion included the four areas mentioned above.   After decades of humanistic music education music philosophers are searching for ways to transform student’s lives through musicing and the praxis of doing music.

            Humanism as a philosophic foundation and humanistic music education as praxis have never been satisfactory answers to the needs of depraved men and women.  As I read this well-written article on what Elliott called “artistic citizenship” I found myself agreeing with music of what he was saying.  However, I was strengthened in my conviction that Christian music education is not merely a preference but rather a necessity. 

Thought for the Day   

Christian and secular music philosophy have essential differences that make Christian music education necessary.