Download MUE 482 Julio Contreras Philosophy of Music Education I strongly

MUE 482
Julio Contreras
Philosophy of Music Education
I strongly believe that music, and the other arts, should be a social right rather than a
privilege. This is the case not just because of what I think about music and the fact that I am a
musician, I came to this conclusion through a process of reflection, analysis and observation of
the real and practical implications of music in society. From the greater examples such as El
Sistema in Venezuela to smaller projects, such as the youth orchestra in my hometown, across all
Latin America and elsewhere, music has proved its tremendous capabilities of positive social
change. Scientific research along with examples like El Sistema and millions of individual life
stories, demonstrate that music can shape the development of an individual like any other
subject, . T therefore, shaping the development of society.
Music provides a complete learning experience that cannot be achieved by any other
activity. From the cognitive aspect, going through the psychomotor and affective domains, to
non-musical outcomes such as values and traditions, what the musical experience has to offer to
the formation of a student is unique. Neuroscience has shown that the brain’s (brains—just plural,
not possessive) of individuals performing music experience a lot of neurological activity all at
once. Nina Kraus, neuroscientist at Northwestern University, has conducted plenty of research
that shows the improvements on the brain due performing music in several areas that are crucial
for the overall learning process. Besides learning the musical language and all the content
information that music contains, students get the equivalent of a full body workout for the brain
by performing music. No other discipline or subject can offer that.
In terms of psychomotor outcomes, performing music requires big deal of much
coordination. Students can improve a lot their psychomotor skill just by playing an instrument.
Also, playing an instrument engages practically every area of the brain, especially the auditory,
visual, and motor cortexes. By performing an instrument, students can strengthen those brain
functions allowing them to apply that strength to other activities.
Music also leads to higher levels of executive function. This is the result of understanding
the emotional content of music, which requires planning, strategizing, and attention to detail (all
part of the executive function category). Music requires a simultaneously analysis of both
cognitive and emotional aspects.
Music can offer plenty of things that are not musical but highly important for the
development of an individual. The orchestra, or any musical ensemble, is a model of social life.
Playing and singing together represent intimate coexistence. It builds a sense of solidarity,
fraternity, discipline, self-esteem and foster the ethical values that are related to music in itself
(everything else in your list is a noun, “foster” is a verb, so it doesn’t quite fit—you can just
leave it out). Music has huge practical uses in the teaching of values, the training of young
people to teach other kids, and the sense of a community. This becomes even more important
while working with children from low socioeconomic status. Music can be use as a tool for
social rescue and the achievement of personal excellency.
It is very important that all children have access to this type of education, especially the
poorest, less educated and vulnerable kids. By not having this type of education, children are
lacking gain a fundamental aspect of the development of good citizens and human beings (It’s
always stronger to state positively what students will gain or benefit, rather than stating
negatively what they will lose). They may have plenty of personal problems or no family at all.
By offering a musical education to every child, we are assuring that they will have at least one
place where they can be safe, a place where they can learn about discipline and responsibility, a
place of emotional awakening and the pursuit of excellency. No other subject can offer what
music has to offer to every individual and the society as a whole, that is why music education
should be available to every single child.
This includes a lot of strong positive points! Keep collecting ideas, because you have
many different audiences to convince, for example, some people care only about what will cost
the least for the schools, others care only about test scores. So get lots of ideas. This is a very
clear positive statement. +10/10