The National Association For Music Education

Throughout history music has played an important role in society, whether it was Mozart moving people with his newest opera or the latest album from the Beatles. Where would society be today without music? With schools cutting their music programs, the next Mozart may not get his chance to discover his amazing talent. Music programs are essential to education. To fully understand this one must understand how music helps the human body, why schools have cut music programs, and why people should learn music.

Upon reading both the Mississippi Arts Frameworks and the National Core Arts Standards, it became very apparent that there were similarities and contrast in both their structure and content. Both of these frameworks still have the overall goal of increasing both individuality, creativity, and important life skills in students. Both of these frameworks highlight important artistic processes and content, but both differ in the components that they contain as well. Additionally, both frameworks still have the same universal goal as other subject area, which is to inform readers of what a student should know and be able to do at different grade levels. Similarly, both standards are also offer itself as guides and models for educators to plan their instruction. Both standards offer a multitude of resourceful information that can guide teachers into designing a curriculum in which performance is assessed rather than paperwork.

Every day millions of Americans turn on their radios, IPods, or some other device which allows them to listen to their favorite musicians and have no idea that there is a union standing guard to ensure the rights of those very musicians. The average American may think their favorite musicians are rolling “dough” and not realize that for the past hundred and fourteen years the American Federation of Musicians, aka AFM, has worked to improve the professional lives of musicians across North America. (American Federation of Musicians, 2010) AFM attracts its members with a mission to unite professional musicians which states, “We can live and work in dignity; Our work will be fulfilling and compensated fairly; We will have a meaningful voice

Establishing new national fine arts standards and programs from previously attempted standards will give students equal opportunities to succeed and develop themselves to their full potential. These standards would be a refined and reshaped version of the 1992 and 1994 attempted national standards for fine arts, but would be integrated with Common Core values and lessons (National Association for Music Education). Refining the following standards to meet today’s technological standards would be beneficial for fine arts students because they would have applications to what they are learning and would be able to use Common Core’s goals to positively impact each student; three sections by grade level: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 all with different but similar standards (6 in total) and benchmarks (44 in total) for each different fine arts

Across the United States many elementary school music classrooms are filled with simple and popular tunes such as Hot Cross Buns and The Ode to Joy, played on the recorder, while high school students may be playing collegiate or professional pieces of music such as Armenian Dances and Carmen Suites. I have been very fortunate to have gone on the journey of progressing through different music education programs within Fairfax County Public Schools. If I was never exposed to music while in elementary school I might not have ever found one of my greatest passions or been able to create such fond and unforgettable memories. While music education programs across the country appear large and strong, many schools are beginning to experience budget reductions. As a result, music is often the very first component of a school 's curriculum or programs to be cut or significantly reduced, but I believe this is not the right course of action. It is important to preserve and promote music education in public schools because of the proven cognitive, character,and academic benefits for students.

Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is

Malcom Bane once said: “If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of something for somebody, you’ll end up not doing nothing for nobody.”

Elliott notes the lack of importance given to these life goals that music education provides by some school administrators and how this can impede on students’ willingness to achieve other academic and vocational goals. The lack of music education can therefore result in below-average levels of academic and vocational accomplishment and high levels of custodial trouble, meaning unruly or absent students. He therefore advocates music education to be part of the core curriculum from kindergarten till the end of high school for “educational, economic, custodial and practical” reasons. Koopman also provides three arguments supporting music education at school. The first one is that music instruction is essential to personal development, the second

Given the opportunity, I would form a Music Community Outreach program at the University of Cincinnati. With dwindling focus given to the arts in many schools across America, it is essential for music students to reach out to their communities to demonstrate the importance of the arts. This organization would provide many children with the chance to hear an aria or a chamber group for the first time in their lives. But more importantly, it would allow the children to perform in their own 'miniature' shows. The arts provide a safe and conducive space for students to find their own voice. Often times, schools can foster anxiety and stress; the performing arts act as a medium that can help combat this by bringing about a level of confidence

This social action project is evidence of mastery of Core Standard 2. Core Standard 2 describes an administrator’s ability to recognize cultural and social factors that affect pupil performance. The case study is based upon the recognition that music text books tend to be biased towards the Caucasian culture. This bias may make students of differing cultures feel uncomfortable when engaging in the curriculum. When a student does not feel comfortable, then they will not perform to the best of their ability. The identification of this bias shows proof of the ability to recognize the cultural factors that affect pupil performance. The standard also requires an administrator to appropriately create instructional techniques and strategies to meet

Going into college I wanted a major that I knew I would have the motivation to work hard at, while being able to enjoy the process of getting my degree. The main reason that I choose to go into music education was to help teach the younger generations, and be there to help them through their childhood and shape them into what they will do later on in their lives. Education is one of the most important jobs in america, without teachers the younger generations wouldn't be able to grow up and be successful or fill in the jobs that the older generations have left for them. Teachers also play an important role in the developmental stage of kids, often times kids can pick up traits from their teachers and take that on later in life, this often gives

“Alright kids, go back and run it one more time” drilled the proud marching band director. As the kids grunted and moaned, they returned to their spots, determined to make this next run of the show better than the last. Little did they know the director is just as determined as they are, thinking of ways the band as a whole can improve upon their last enactment of the show.

Philosophy of Music Education by Christina A. Schirf The solution for the best quality of life of future generations begins with a comprehensive, balanced education; an education promising reflection, expression, creation, and collaboration that readies a student capable of leadership within the global community. Society necessitates a strong standard of education. It is my philosophy that, to keep up with such a fast paced and competitive world, education needs to be equal in its attention to different subject areas. Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Physical Education, Music Education, etc, all deserve the opportunity and means to be an integral part of a student’s development as a global citizen. Music is an essential art that blends practiced technique with freedom of expression.

The stigma associated with pursuing an education in the musical arts affects the decision of many musicians nationwide. The appeal of guaranteed financial and career stability of STEM and other paths of high demand jobs is very difficult to pass up, even by the most dedicated musicians. Then, the input and advice of outsiders come into play. These onlookers not only encourage study of the hard sciences and a foolproof path to success via university, but they also totally and blatantly discourage and belittle the intelligence, rationality and integrity of not just the paths of musicians, but all liberal artists. Don’t you want to make money? What do you mean you won’t have internships, don’t you want a job? How are you going to survive? This blitzkrieg of questioning and doubt, though theoretically peripheral to the bigger picture, is reasonably common, however, severely unjustified. Pursuing a formal college education in music is easily one of the best things you could do for yourself, regardless of whether or not this is the career path of your choosing. As a student of formal music education, you are actually being trained in more real world skills than most other majors, which will prepare you for many careers, making you stand-out amongst the masses. Being a music major, you learn more than just music, you learn problem-solving skills, how to communicate and collaborate, and how to overcome failure, which are all essential skills to have as a professional in today’s day

“Education- should enhance understanding of the world, of oneself, and of one’s own experience” (Kelly 2009). What is important about music education? There are many important aspects in music education like pedagogy and performance. For me, music education is about letting the students express themselves. Having the ability to give an idea or to vent is a vital tool in today’s society. This concept influences music because expression is not only in how to connect a phrase, but also how to tell a story. With my time in college, Dr. Joseph Frye will always tell me to tell a story with music. He will also ask me what I want to feel after playing a piece. This is what I believe is important in music education.