Sidnee McLeod

Dr. Veblen
Music 1800A
December 6th, 2015
Reading: Bergonzi
Bergonzi, L. (2014). Sexual orientation and music education: Continuing a tradition. Music Educators
Journal, 100(4), 65-69. doi:10.1177/0027432114530662
This article brings the idea of heterosexuality and its current dominance in the Music classroom.
Bergonzi addresses the fact that we need to meet the changing demands of our students, what with
Music Education moving forward. All students have different kinds of needs that we need to accept, and
sexuality is especially one of them. Bergonzi stresses the importance of addressing other sexual
orientations, especially homosexuality. There is a shocking reality that many music educators are not
accustomed to the needs of these students, by exemplifying situations that many may not be
comfortable dealing with. There are privileges that heterosexuals have in the music classroom, for both
students and teachers. As well, the article talks about how homosexuality is important in Music History
within the struggles of composers, ideals, and beliefs. We have to realize that heterosexuality is not
normal for some students, and that every student is an individual with different needs. Bergonzi talks
about how we need to display more inclusive content in class, and make the students feel important,
like they belong in the world of Music.
I was interested to find out the amount of things that could be considered as privileges for
heterosexuals in the classroom. There are a lot of things that we can take for granted, especially in just
being part of a certain majority. In the beginning, many of the privileges that Bergonzi listed could be
very insignificant to those who just have them, but they are something so much more significant to

those who do not have them. Some teachers have to be careful about what they say about their
personal life because there is a fear that it could damage their reputation, and that is a very troubling
thought. Yet a lot of the heterosexuals can just go along with their day, not living in fear with what they
say in relation to their family life, and so on. Homosexuality and other sexualities should be more
willingly accepted; all anyone wants is a chance at equality.
When reading the previous paragraph and a certain part about the article, I am very surprised. I
cannot believe how little I think, know, or understand about the pressures and worries about the
different sexualities. I find it difficult to find personal stories of mine that are relatable to the
experiences that a person who is not heterosexual may have had when dealing with the pressures of the
classroom. It is just really surprising to find out how little you know about something, even when you
thought that you were well-educated on the ideas of that certain concept. The article reinforced my lack
of knowledge for this subject area when Bergonzi displayed the Do I Know What I Would Do When
chat box. So many questions and situations were asked, and I realized that I would not be able to
effectively deal with as many of them as I would like to admit to. I am really glad that this is in the
article, because it makes me realize that I need to diversify myself and learn about this very soon. It is a
significant subject, and the fact that these situations may take myself and others off guard shows how
we have quite a narrow focus on heterosexuality. If we do not even know how to deal with situations
like these that are becoming more frequent (and normal!), then how can we expect the students to feel
welcome and like that they are being equally treated and included?
One of the more frustrating things for me was when Bergonzi referred to high school and its
music classes as developmental wastelands for youth in sexual orientation minorities (Bergonzi, 2014,

p.66). That is so sad. We as teachers know that every student should be able to come to school and
learn and feel happy. If their sexuality is what is preventing them from being able to do this, and causes
them to commit suicide, substance abuse, or drop out, then that is a huge problem that needs to be
stopped. Whether they have a learning disability, special need, or difference in sexuality, school needs
to be a place where everyone is equally respected, and should feel like that they can develop at the
same level as everyone else. This is one of the ideals I have for schools and their education system.
If I were to talk to the author, I would ask him how to bring this idea of equal opportunity into
the education system more? Also, this article mainly focuses on the education system of America; I
would love to also know what is going on in Canada. I find that there are many differences between the
education systems of Canada and the United States, so it is important to see if there are different steps
that Canada has to take compared to the U.S.A.