Music Education Video Summary

As future music educators, we are all aware of the educational value of music. We know that participation and knowledge of music increases overall intelligence; we know there is more to it than simply listening, but now our job is to help others realize its importance.

According to Roger Brown, music is one of just a few things that keep students in schools who might not otherwise be there as a result of mediocre academics. By even having activities such as music and athletics in schools, interest is created and students have the opportunity to participate and become more interested. Brown also said music is not “auditory cheesecake.” Contrary to what some people may think, there is substance to music. It isn’t just something we listen to and enjoy. As Brown said, “Music helps embed memory in people”, and it has been doing so since ancient times.

I found it interesting how Brown pointed out the difference between artists such as Raffi and groups like the Wiggles. Raffi is not “over-stimulating”, presenting music to children in a calm manner, a respectful way of seeing children as human beings. On the other hand, the Wiggles offer constant movement and energy as a way of communicating with children, somehow making it seem like children are constantly wanting to move. Music itself is a way to express the emotions we hold inside where there is no other way to do it. Brown’s mention of this immediately brought this quote by Hans Christian Anderson to mind: “Where words fail, music speaks.”

The other videos brought more benefits of music education to the forefront, such as: musicians are more intelligent, emotionally healthier, and self-driven; music education provides opportunities for socialization, teamwork, a place to “belong” and fit in; music provides opportunities for travel (tours, concerts, etc.). Julee Kowalis provided some insight to music and the brain, stating that this organ needs stimulation to learn. As we hear, see, or do things, neural pathways are created and/or strengthened, and music does this in every domain. (How’s that for powerful?) Mick Huckabee referred to the brain in technological terms, saying that kids need an operating system, not just data transfer, meaning students need to actually do things, rather than just listen to a teacher lecture about concepts and hoping they stick. The video on progressive education in the 1900s touched on this fact too, saying that knowledge learned during an actual experience is better understood and longer retained. Huckabee said music and art are “essential in the academic environment” because they help improve both sides of the brain.

In the constructivist approach, since nothing is learned from “scratch”, a larger framework must be constructed by adding to what is already known by students. The cognitive approach says “Let me do, and I understand,” again relating to having hands-on experiences. As teachers, we need to show our students how to do things, then provide scaffolding by offering just enough help to show them how to do something themselves.