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Philosophy of Music Education

Its my belief as a music educator that all students, regardless of substantiating factors,

should have access to a proper music education. They should have the opportunity to discover

and explore their innate ability to create music independently and collaboratively as I shape them

as musicians and consumers of music through a formal education. Students should be

encouraged to shape their own creative musical identity through the study and performance of

music. Its my goal as a teacher to provide a safe environment for students to explore music at

their own pace and to take risks in order to learn and grow as a musician. Its crucial for students

to understand that mistake will happen, and they will be forgiven and learned upon. My music

classroom will be a place of musical excellence, but also will prepare students to be functioning

members of a multicultural society.

All children are capable of learning music, regardless of their culture, socio-economic

status, or any other diversity. All students bring their own personality and backgrounds into the

classroom. Its my job as their teacher to call upon their strengths and shape their weaknesses

into learning experiences that will enhance their music education. All students will be

encouraged to create, perform, and analyze music no matter their physical, cognative, or

behavioral limitations. With adaptations and modifications to instruction and the use of

differentiated instruction techniques, all students will have the same equal opportunity to actively

engage in music within the walls of my classroom. A student-centered classroom will allow the

students a sense of autonomy to make their own musical choices.1 My role as a mediator or

facilitator will show my students that I am a lifelong learner. I believe that allowing students to

make their own choices, their own mistakes, and learning from their experiences as a musician

will better shape them and prepare them for their musical journey. Its my goal to engage
1
Ernst, Karl D., Ed.: Gary, Charles L., Ed. Music in General Education.
students in socio-emotional learning. Music engages so many parts of our physical being

including our emotions. As adolescents and teenagers, many students arent sure how to deal

with what they feel within. Socio-emotional learning can help students process their emotions

and convert those feelings into music. Students that can identify their feelings and express them

in a healthy, autonomous manner are more apt to be successful not only in class but also in

everyday life.

Music exists in every culture. Its an essential factor that brings together people that may

not otherwise ever come into contact. Teaching music to any student willing to learn will engage

them in cultural perspectives that will shape and change the way they see the world. Studying the

music of cultures outside our own and outside Westernized music can allow student to

understand and appreciate cultures they may know nothing about. The study of other musical

cultures also gives students the perspective of how music functions outside of Standard Band

Literature. There is so much to be learned about how music shapes the lives of people all over

the world, and yet students know very little about it. Its my goal as a music educator to share all

kinds of musical culture to my students and explore the realm of musical possibilities available

to them.

Students need music education through their elementary, junior high, and high school

years. Too often, I hear students say Im not musical I cant sing and the list of I cant

goes on and on. Music education provides as outlet for all musical styles, not just band or choir.

Theres so many facets of music to be explored within the context of music education. Music

technology is an ever growing musical outlet that students are engaged with almost every day

when they listen to pop music. Students can be taught how to create their own music through the

use of technology. They can be taught how to produce, mix, and design their own music only
using software such as Garageband. Music education isnt limiting, it's ever growing. As a music

educator, its my job to adapt to the growing trends of music and use them to teach my students

the music that affects their everyday lives, not inhibit them. Its my job to pull out their creative

processes through whatever outlet of music calls to them. All students are innately musical. All

students can be actively engaged through music. Its up to me as the music educator to facilitate

and shape that learning process.

Through teaching, I look forward to my journey as a lifelong learner. I want to learn from

my students as much as they learn from me. They all are unique individuals that bring so much

to the classroom that can be used to shape creative, independent musicians. All my students

wont be professional musicians, and thats okay. My goal as a music educator is to give my

student the best music education possible, and give them the tools to become intelligent

consumers of music. As long as my students can go into society with an appreciation and

understanding how music functions in their everyday lives, Ill know I have done my job.

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