Full Description
Critical Issues in Music Education: Contemporary Theory and Practice is an edited volume designed primarily as an introductory graduate text or capstone undergraduate text for music education students, providing an in-depth examination of critical issues for early-career music educators. Most undergraduate music teacher education focuses on developing the skills and understandings necessary to become a practitioner; this text, however, links theory to teaching practice and offers a variety of perspectives to give music teachers the comprehensive grounding they need to become leaders in the field. Rather than focusing on answers to "what to do" questions, Critical Issues in Music Education focuses on "why" questions through examining underpinnings for the field and encouraging teacher inquiry. Each of the eight contributing authors has unique expertise and experience as a practicing music teacher and music teacher educator, yet the authors share a common background-each is either a faculty member or a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University.
Consequently, the text is grounded in current educational theory and practice, informed by the authors' work in the field with both music teachers and P-12 students, and linked by a commitment to progressive education. The authors include discussion starters, project ideas, and suggested readings at the end of each chapter. Offering contemporary perspectives on music education, Critical Issues in Music Education provides a foundation for understanding the complexities, challenges, and rewards of music teaching across diverse contexts.
Contents
PREFACE; CONTRIBUTORS; 1. HISTORICAL CONTEXTS OF MUSIC EDUCATION, HAROLD F. ABELES; Introduction; Music Education in the First Half of the 20th Century; Federal Education Policy and Music Education: 1950-Present; Equity Issues in Music Education: 1950-Present; Summary; 2. MUSIC AS SOCIO-CULTURAL PHENOMENON, ROBERTA LAMB; Introduction: "A Framework of Explanations"; Sociology in Education, Music, and Music Education; Formalism: Functionalist (Durkheim) and Rationalized (Weber); Critical Theory, The Frankfurt School, and Critical Pedagogy; Interaction Theories in Education and Music; Social Justice: Interactions with Webs of Difference; Web of Postmodernism in Education; Technology Transforming Music Education; Summary; 3. PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF MUSIC EDUCATION, RANDALL ALLSUP; Introduction; Philosophy and Education; Aesthetic Philosophy; Philosophical Rationales for Music in the Schools; Conclusion; 4. MEANING AND EXPERIENCE: THE MUSIC LEARNER, LORI CUSTODERO; Introduction; Musical Meaning and Embodiment; Processing Experience: Cognitive Structures and Connections; The "Creating" Mind: Meanings through Constructing and Interpreting Music; Key Issues in Music Learning; Meaningful Engagement in Music Teaching and Learning; 5. THE LEARNER IN COMMUNITY, PATRICIA ST. JOHN; The Community of Learners; Learning Strategies in Community; Communities of Musical Learning; Summary; 6. MUSIC LEARNING AND MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT, LORI CUSTODERO; Introduction; Key Issues in Musical Developmental; General Theories of Development and Musical Applications; Pathways and Patterns of Musical Development; Developmental Characteristics of Music Learners; Summary: On Being and Becoming Musical; 7. CURRICULUM, CATHY BENEDICT; Introduction; Scientific and Technical Rationality; Curriculum Reconceptualized; "Multicultural" Curriculum; Some Concluding Remarks; 8. ASSESSING MUSIC LEARNING, HAROLD ABELES; Introduction; Considerations of Assessment; Assessing the Outcomes of Music Instruction; Alternative Approaches to Assessing the Outcomes of Music Instruction; Standardized Testing in Music; State and National Assessments of the Outcomes of Music Instruction; Evaluating School Music Programs; Conclusion; 9. METHODS AND APPROACHES, CATHY BENEDICT; Introduction; Emile Jacques-Dalcroze; Kodaly; Carl Orff; Shinichi Suzuki; Edwin Gordon; General Issues and Lingering Thoughts; 10. CHOOSING MUSIC LITERATURE, RANDALL ALLSUP; Introduction; The Problems of Tradition; The Problems of Change; Teacher Judgment; Summary; 11. MUSIC EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY, JAMES FRANKEL; Technology in the Music Classroom; Classroom Environments; Computer-Aided Instruction; Music Production Software; New Instruments; New Media--New Directions; Conclusions; 12. MUSIC TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY: DEVELOPING LEADERS IN THE FIELD, COLLEEN CONWAY; Introduction; Music Teacher Education Research Context; Music Teacher Education Policy Context; Recruitment of Music Education Majors into the Preservice Program; General Issues in Music Teacher Education Curriculum; Supporting Beginning Music Teachers; Challenges of the First Years; Conclusion; 13. THE INQUIRING MUSIC TEACHER, HAROLD ABELES AND COLLEEN CONWAY; Introduction; Sources of Research in Music Education; Approaches to Research; Quantitative Approaches to Research; Historical Research; Qualitative Research; Action Research and Teachers as Researchers; Summary; 14. FRAMING A PROFESSIONAL LIFE: COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP, HAROLD ABELES, COLLEEN CONWAY, AND LORI CUSTODERO; Introduction; Collaborations; Involvement in Local, State, Regional, and National Professional Music; International Opportunities for Professional Development; Envisioning a Career Path; Advocating and Initiating Change: Providing Leadership; Developing as a Professional; Conclusion; REFERENCES; INDEX
