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Kristal Jones MUED 260 Dr. Johnathan Vest 29 October 2012 My Philosophy Music is meaningful as an artistic expression. (Campbell, Demorest, and Morrison, 18.) Music has played a large role in my life. I use music as an expression of my emotions and to worship God. Dr. Vest once said that music making can be a communal, emotional and spiritual experience, and I couldnt agree more. Music should be taught in public schools and to everyone in general. There are many lessons one can learn through music such as keeping rhythm and responsibility. Music should be taught with an open mind and an open heart with the intention of the student being able to use this art form as a way to communicate his or her emotions and learn skills that he or she will use in everyday life. There was once a time that I wanted to major in Nursing, but music has always been my first love. From the time I was three until now, I have been singing in church. God has blessed me with a family who also loves music. After I prayed during a Wednesday night service, I opened my Bible and my eyes fell on Psalms 89:1. That verse says, I will always sing of the Lords love. I realized right then and there that God wanted me in this field. I believe that music should be taught in public schools because it is a way of life. Music is an art because it is a tool we can use to express how we feel, whether we sing or play an instrument. Many students use other things to curb or show their feelings such as using drugs or even acting out. Instead of resulting to the bad, students can have a chance to put what they feel into what they sing or play. Cultures and history can also be taught through music, such as

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African pieces or pieces from the Baroque period. Music is something we can use to connect ourselves to our world. Music should be shared with all. Not only do younger people need music, but so do the elderly. Like I have said, music is a way to connect and express. Everyone deserves to be able to express how they feel through a song. A philosopher named John Dewey argued that aesthetic enjoyment should not be the privilege of the few but rather a vital component of education for the common good of all. (Campbell, Demorest, and Morrison, 25.) Many things can be taught through music. I believe that one should learn how to sightread and solfege. Harmonies and intervals should also be taught. Students should be able to sing and play with the group as well as by themselves. Improvisation should also be taught, having the students be creative and putting themselves out there. This helps with confidence and responsibility. According to Dr. Jennifer Vannatta-Halls PowerPoint, there are many intrinsic benefits from learning music. Some of these benefits include music being a part of history, a way to connect with others, inventiveness, aesthetics (when one gets goose bumps), and much more. Arts instruction should be carried out with the same academic rigor and high expectations as instruction in other core subjects. (MENC) A teacher should make her lesson fun, but also a great learning experience. She should have objectives and try to reach those each day. There should be hands on experiences like banging a drum to a beat or having the students repeat what she is doing. The teacher should also challenge her students to be the best that they can be. Some of my best teachers were those who challenged me instead of making things easy. Also, like a past teacher of mine, Pamela Gladish, once said, the teacher should be willing to do

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whatever she has her students doing herself. She should be willing to demonstrate what she wants her students to do and ready to help where she can as a friendly authoritative figure. When students learn about music, they are learning how to express themselves. It teaches them about their own cultures. Students should be able to use music to worship or share their emotions with others. Being creative is a skill that students can learn in music and use in everyday life. Another skill one can learn from music is how to work well with others and multitask. Students should walk away from the classroom with good experiences to rely on, confidence, and a love for something in which they can use to express or appreciate history and culture. Without music, I wouldnt be where I am today. Music is needed for every age and in public schools. It should be treated with the same respect and importance value as any other core subject. Music should be taught with expectations and challenges to make the students be their best. The skills a student learns from music will help them be a more confident, creative, and smarter human being. Music is a way of life, communication, and a connecter between all.

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Works Cited Campbell, P. S., S. M. Demorest, and S. J. Morrison.Musician and teacher, an orientation to music education. W W Norton & Co Inc, 2008. Print.
Gladish, Pamela. Telephone Interview. 29 2012. . N.p.. Web. 1 Nov 2012. <http://musiced.nafme.org/about/position-statements/the-value-and-qualityof-arts-education/>. . N.p.. Web. 1 Nov 2012. <http://performingartsconvention.org/advocacy/id=28>. Holy Bible. King James. Psalms 89:1. Print. Vannatta-Hall, Jennifer. I Love What I Do, But How Do I Communicate Why Its Important? Cumberland University. NAfME Collegiate Fall Kick-Off. 29 September 2012. Vest, Johnathan. Philosophy of Music Education.