Philosophy
Music is a very important aspect in today’s day and age and in each and every culture (Campbell, ch. 6). Whether it is religious, rap, jazz, classical, or any other kind of music, notes and rhythms are heard everyday around the world. While music is prevalent in every country on the globe, the United States seems to be one of the most diverse and versatile nations in relation to music. Almost every genre of music is expressed throughout the states and is a daily part of the American life. Though not every American may listen to each of these styles of music, the majority of musical diversity is heard across the country in some way or another. This broad range of musical styles is not only for the different cultures spread across the country, but even more so for the different age groups represented. Since music is such a prominent part of the United States, I believe that children should learn the fundamentals of it early on. Most children are exposed to music at a very young age already, but music education in their schools could help them have a better understanding and appreciation for everything that goes into a three-minute song or rap. I think that music should definitely be taught throughout American pubic schools from kindergarten all the way to high school. I feel students should be raised with music in their schools because it allows them to identify with one another and to share a common passion that can help them socially. It helps create structure in their lives, both mentally and emotionally, and it is an activity that can be enjoyed strictly as well as leisurely.
Music in schools is a great way for students to connect and find a comfortable group of people who share the same interests as they do. Donald A. Hodges explains in his article, “Why Study Music?” that these groups are a very important factor in helping children grow musically and socially: “Group identity through music is both inclusive and exclusive in that (a) music helps cement the bonding of those members of a group who share common ideas, beliefs, and behaviors, and (b) music helps isolate and separate one group from another” (Hodges, 113). Teaching music to young people is a great way to introduce working with others and making relationships. Being in music especially helps these friendships because it gives the students a common ground that they can already relate to. Music in schools also allows students to grow with one another through their mutual passion. Teamwork and communication early on in a child’s life makes a huge difference in how they socialize as an adult. With music in schools, students are able to express their creativity with students that share the same love in life as they do.
Music should also be permitted in schools to create structure in students’ lives. Donald A. Hodges writes that human minds seek structure and music is one of the greatest ways to find it: “Closely allied to the idea of thinking is structure. The human mind seeks patterns, structure, order, and logic. Music provides a unique way of structuring sounds across time, as well as providing a means of structuring thoughts, feelings, and human experiences” (Hodges, 113). A necessity of the human mind is to have a sense of structure and organization. Music is full of patterns and orders that create a sense of structure for people’s thoughts and emotions. Since music is so emotionally connected and follows a strict set of rules, this can apply to any child’s life and help them learn to have structure in their own lives. Music allows students to have a better sense application and organization with how they work in their everyday life.
Music is also necessary to include in schools’ curriculums because it creates a leisurely activity for students to participate in. As the author Mark explains in his excerpt about Aristotle’s beliefs on music education, music not only teaches one but entertains one as well: “Concerning music a doubt may be raised-in our own day most men cultivate it for the sake of pleasure, but originally it was included in education, because nature herself, as has been often said, requires that we should be able, not only to work well, but to use leisure well, for, as I must repeat once again, the first principle of all action is leisure” (Mark, 11). Mark explains that leisure is a huge part of every individual’s life and serves as the first principle of action. One must learn to have a balance of both work and leisure throughout his or her everyday life, and both can be achieved through the practice of music. Music should be taught in schools to increase a student’s work ethic and to also create an activity that can fill a child’s free time. Ultimately, music can help keep a student on track with both his or her studies as well as create a safe and educational environment for his or her free time.
I believe music should be incorporated in every school’s education to teach and help students with their everyday life. Music can not only help students form relationships with others who share the same interests, but can also allow them to have a sense of mental and emotional structure in their lives and a balance of work and relaxation. In today’s culture, it is almost impossible to avoid any contact with music on any given day. Due to this, I feel that music should just go ahead and be present in schools so young people can learn more about it and have a greater sense of the meaning and structure behind every lyric and note. Music is an essential part of the human nature and should be present in every school, not only in the United States, but worldwide.
Music is a very important aspect in today’s day and age and in each and every culture (Campbell, ch. 6). Whether it is religious, rap, jazz, classical, or any other kind of music, notes and rhythms are heard everyday around the world. While music is prevalent in every country on the globe, the United States seems to be one of the most diverse and versatile nations in relation to music. Almost every genre of music is expressed throughout the states and is a daily part of the American life. Though not every American may listen to each of these styles of music, the majority of musical diversity is heard across the country in some way or another. This broad range of musical styles is not only for the different cultures spread across the country, but even more so for the different age groups represented. Since music is such a prominent part of the United States, I believe that children should learn the fundamentals of it early on. Most children are exposed to music at a very young age already, but music education in their schools could help them have a better understanding and appreciation for everything that goes into a three-minute song or rap. I think that music should definitely be taught throughout American pubic schools from kindergarten all the way to high school. I feel students should be raised with music in their schools because it allows them to identify with one another and to share a common passion that can help them socially. It helps create structure in their lives, both mentally and emotionally, and it is an activity that can be enjoyed strictly as well as leisurely.
Music in schools is a great way for students to connect and find a comfortable group of people who share the same interests as they do. Donald A. Hodges explains in his article, “Why Study Music?” that these groups are a very important factor in helping children grow musically and socially: “Group identity through music is both inclusive and exclusive in that (a) music helps cement the bonding of those members of a group who share common ideas, beliefs, and behaviors, and (b) music helps isolate and separate one group from another” (Hodges, 113). Teaching music to young people is a great way to introduce working with others and making relationships. Being in music especially helps these friendships because it gives the students a common ground that they can already relate to. Music in schools also allows students to grow with one another through their mutual passion. Teamwork and communication early on in a child’s life makes a huge difference in how they socialize as an adult. With music in schools, students are able to express their creativity with students that share the same love in life as they do.
Music should also be permitted in schools to create structure in students’ lives. Donald A. Hodges writes that human minds seek structure and music is one of the greatest ways to find it: “Closely allied to the idea of thinking is structure. The human mind seeks patterns, structure, order, and logic. Music provides a unique way of structuring sounds across time, as well as providing a means of structuring thoughts, feelings, and human experiences” (Hodges, 113). A necessity of the human mind is to have a sense of structure and organization. Music is full of patterns and orders that create a sense of structure for people’s thoughts and emotions. Since music is so emotionally connected and follows a strict set of rules, this can apply to any child’s life and help them learn to have structure in their own lives. Music allows students to have a better sense application and organization with how they work in their everyday life.
Music is also necessary to include in schools’ curriculums because it creates a leisurely activity for students to participate in. As the author Mark explains in his excerpt about Aristotle’s beliefs on music education, music not only teaches one but entertains one as well: “Concerning music a doubt may be raised-in our own day most men cultivate it for the sake of pleasure, but originally it was included in education, because nature herself, as has been often said, requires that we should be able, not only to work well, but to use leisure well, for, as I must repeat once again, the first principle of all action is leisure” (Mark, 11). Mark explains that leisure is a huge part of every individual’s life and serves as the first principle of action. One must learn to have a balance of both work and leisure throughout his or her everyday life, and both can be achieved through the practice of music. Music should be taught in schools to increase a student’s work ethic and to also create an activity that can fill a child’s free time. Ultimately, music can help keep a student on track with both his or her studies as well as create a safe and educational environment for his or her free time.
I believe music should be incorporated in every school’s education to teach and help students with their everyday life. Music can not only help students form relationships with others who share the same interests, but can also allow them to have a sense of mental and emotional structure in their lives and a balance of work and relaxation. In today’s culture, it is almost impossible to avoid any contact with music on any given day. Due to this, I feel that music should just go ahead and be present in schools so young people can learn more about it and have a greater sense of the meaning and structure behind every lyric and note. Music is an essential part of the human nature and should be present in every school, not only in the United States, but worldwide.
