Philosophy of Music

Education
Alicia Jackson
 Music is a big part of our lives. Its everywhere. Whether its playing, creating, or
listening, everyone is experiencing music in one or more of these outlets. Music allows us to
decipher and express our emotions and thoughts in a creative yet tangible medium. Music, when
performed, is a community experience and can connect people from all different cultures. All of
these reasons and more is why music education is imperative to our future. One of the roles of
public education is to develop functioning and contributing members of society and music does
exactly that in a way that no other discipline can imitate. Through music education students will
develop skills in both music and life in order to actively participate in an ever changing diverse
world.

As a music teacher I understand that I play many different roles; I am an educator of both
life and music, a professional musician, and a trusted mentor. I view my profession as teaching
life through music. I will teach my students music and life skills through my example of being
prepared, doing everything to the best of my ability, and by learning how to always improve
myself as both a musician and educator. I will also model for my students how to participate in
music after school by continuing my career as a professional musician in the community. I truly
believe the best way to teach our students is by forming relationships with them and by giving
them a safe place to be themselves. I will use the power of positivity to create a safe environment
for learning and exploring. I will also use relationships with my students to develop this
environment. Relationships will be based on trust and an understanding of each other. I will
understand my students by learning who they are beyond the classroom and encouraging them in
all aspects of life. I will gain trust by showing my students who I am and, despite being the
teacher, Im human too and make mistakes just like them. In the end as their music teacher I am
honored to take on all of these roles to help them be the best students and people imaginable.

Although my profession is music educator, my philosophy of music education is not for

my benefit but all for my students. I believe all students should be given the opportunity to
experience music in a way that is relevant to them and have the ability to succeed in music.
Every student, regardless of their socioeconomic status, physical or intellectual ability, and race
has the ability to develop and grow in their understanding of the music in their everyday lives. I
will learn about the many different musical backgrounds and cultures my students will bring into
the classroom to be cultural competent (1994) in my instruction. In order for students to succeed
in music it is important that they practice the process of learning music so my instruction will
also be based on student music learning rather than performance. Success in my classes, whether
they are ensemble or not, will be based off of improvement of skills and understanding of
concepts not finished products/performance. Through this viewpoint all my students will be
successful because it is based off of where they are at not on where they need to be. These
philosophies I have about my students and their learning will manifest into a music education
that is strictly for the students.

Since music is an elemental part of our lives, music education has become a crucial part
of our public education system. Through music education students will learn about music, life,
and themselves. Through my philosophies as a teacher and my students, every student will be
able to benefit from all aspects of music education. Musical training is a more potent
instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of
the soul Plato
Ladson-Billings, G. (1994). The Dreamkeepers: Successful teachers of African American
children (1st ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.