Classical Music?
After our class tonight, I was thinking. Why is it that we teach classical art music? What is it that is so important about the music of the Western tradition that so many music teachers insist on teaching it to their students. If the goal of music education is to empower students to become musicians, is classical music the answer? So many students are opposed to classical music. We play it in the classroom and they immediately roll their eyes or dismiss the music. They do not even give it a change. We as teachers constantly search for ways to make the students enjoy and appreciate classical music. However, could our efforts be in vain? Maybe we should give up trying to teach music of the Western world and teach the student their music.
I believe the answer is in the significance of classical music. The music has lasted for such a long period of time. Music of the Western art tradition has influenced and evolved and essentially became popular music over time. Tonight the question of, "Why do we teach the Civil War?" came up. I believe we teach the Civil War because it is in the history of how our society evolved. History can only be useful if it is applicable to today. I believe that is the reason we teach classical music. It must be taught in a context that makes it applicable to the students' lives and society today. What do you think?
posted by Jenna @ 12:47 AM
3 Comments:
I think it is important to expose these students to classical music because, like everyone else said, it is an important foundation in music. I think if we are able to connect the music to the students in some way, that they will be able to appreciate it a little more, even if it's not completely "their element".
It is important to acknowledge the fact that all of the music that we learn in schools stemmed from the music that the students are listening to know. I think it would be interesting, once this issue was posed to classes how they felt about this issue as well as if they are able to find any similarities and differences between the two. This can also establish further growth because it shows the students where we have been and gives them possibilities as to where it could end up.
History has a funny way of repeating itself, so what seems "outdated" and "old-fashioned" will inevitably become the new and standard again. Classical composers were not some sort of stodgy beings off in their own universe; they were everyday people who went through likely more strife and hardships than any rapper or rock musician has had to suffer. If we were to take the time to educate our students on all varieties of music, inevitably we would find common threads of lifestyle amongst all people.
I find what everyone else has said intriguing. I think we are getting (mostly) the same answer from everyone: Yes Western musical traditions are important and should be taught. I think that we need to take a step back and ask ourselves a separate question:
What is the purpose of teaching music?
If our purpose is to teach the evolution of music over time (including music history, and appreciation [whatever that means]) and its impact of society and societal changes throughout history, then, yes – historical (A.K.A. ‘Classical’) music must be taught in the classroom.
However, if our purpose is to teach musical concepts (such as theoretical concepts, form, and analysis), then maybe we do not need to teach the three B’s (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms), because all of these things can be found in today’s popular music.
I think that, as teachers, we need to be careful not to impose our preferences and biases on our students. Nevertheless, I am not advocating the removal of “Classical” music from the classrooms. I am advocating that we consciously make a contextually appropriate decision when we teach any music in our classrooms.
Now, as for teaching “Classical” music or not, I do not know where I stand. It all depends on context…
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