Philosophy Of Education

As our country has grown and evolved, the educational field has had to follow
suit. The values of various subjects have changed based on the viewpoints of government
officials and educational leaders. Emphasis has been placed on areas that are seen as
essential in keeping up with the rest of the world and progressing society forward.
Whether all of this has had a positive or negative effect is up to the individual, but there
is an underlying value that all should understand: education is the most valuable aspect of
an individuals life. The ability to learn, grow and understand more about the world we
live in cannot be trumped or discredited. Furthermore, certain areas and subjects remain
constant no matter what is happening in the world; music is one of those. Music
education must remain a staple in our schools to provide students with experiences and
life lessons beyond the academic classroom, to help students discover what they truly
enjoy and lead a fulfilling life, and to benefit students performance in other academic
subjects.
Music is able to provide students with life experiences that transcend the
classroom and penetrate real life in a way that other subjects cannot. Although I believe
that music should be part of the core curriculum, I also think there is an inherent aspect of
the subject that separates itself from the core in a positive way. Students dont typically
view this subject in the same way that they view their normal classes. They oftentimes
see it as more fun or an escape from a long day of work. As teachers, we need to exploit
that sentiment and encourage students to become more involved in music, not because of
its academic benefits, but because of the joy it can bring them, the skills they can garner
and the fun they can have through music. When students buy in to what is happening in

the classroom, they become susceptible to the growth, understanding and practicality that
they simply cant experience in an Algebra class. Whether this is through their ability to
effectively work with colleagues, manage their own life or even just achieve their full
potential, so much can be gained through a musical experience beyond the notes on the
page. In his book, Directing The Choral Music Program, Kenneth H. Phillips states, not
everything in life can be measured in dollars and cents certainly not the most important
things. Many of these exact things that Phillips is talking about can come from
experiences in music.
I firmly believe that schools should offer some sort of music class for every
student in order to provide a truly comprehensive education through exploration of a
variety of subjects. Students must experience as many things as possible in order to find
out what they truly enjoy and make the correct career choice. If they didnt have the
chance to experience music in an academic setting, I believe they would be deprived of a
very rewarding experience and the opportunity to go farther with it. Some students need
more guidance and purpose than others and, in my own experience, I have found that
music can oftentimes fill those rolls. Although I myself was very independent and went
through the higher-level performance track of music classes, I think there is a huge value
to yall come ensembles as well, not to mention non-performance-based courses. Not
every student is inclined to perform or be a part of a group in that manner, but they
should still have access to music. General music classes are perfect for these students
because they can explore music in lower-pressure setting. Regardless of the specifics of
the course offering, an opportunity to explore music is essential within the context of a
comprehensive education.

Another hugely valuable aspect of music education is the fact that involvement in
the arts improves students performance in other classes and disciplines. This has been
proven through various studies over the years demonstrating the positive correlation
between participation in music and overall academic performance. This has also proven
true through my own experience, as Ive been much more successful in my studies
because of my own engagement in the arts, specifically in choral music. Although the
amount of free time at my disposal is significantly decreased, Im enriched in ways (both
intellectual and emotional) that make up for that and more. Even beyond the
physiological and scientific reasons for musical involvement, simply giving a student an
avenue to express him or herself is extremely valuable and will aid in their performance
outside of the arts. This human experience can lead to a transformative experience
within education for some students that truly need it.
In my opinion, education is a not necessarily a right, but rather a privilege.
Students are given a plethora of opportunities, in music and beyond, to explore and learn
more about the world about them. They are introduced to subjects and ideas that they
might not otherwise come into contact with and then asked to form opinions or generate
thoughts in regards to those things. All of this creates a powerful amount of knowledge
for each individual that cannot be replaced. Within the context of music education, there
is obviously much to learn in terms of the content itself, but even more to learn about
how to lead a successful, impactful and fulfilling life. Students need to learn these things
about life that the basic subjects cannot teach them. They need to be exposed to as many
disciplines as possible in order to follow a life path that will be right for them. Finally,
they need to be given opportunities to excel in other academic areas through a proven

support system, such as music. Music is a constant in the world and so must it be within a
truly comprehensive and effective education.