PLN: Culture and Music Collision

            As future music teachers, we all know the value that music education has on teaching other core curriculum classes. Music is a universal language. Sure, the accent may vary but when it comes down to it, people from every walk of life can make a beat on an object, or feel certain feelings when listening to a piece. Why then, is there not more of a push to integrate music into classes on history, culture, or language? If we as music teachers look outside of our comfort zone and join forces with teachers from other subjects, we can increase a child’s learning capacity ten fold.
            Imagine a lesson on slavery in the south, where the student’s walk into the class where sad, or minor spirituals are being played to set the tone of the lesson. The history teacher leaves the music on, but lowered and continues on by talking about slavery. When she gets to talking about the slaves in the field,  she could perhaps share with the class a lively spiritual in which many slaves would partake in singing while they worked. And when she talked of their escapes, show a song like “Follow the Drinking Gourd” which displays the freedom trail. Think of how much more enriching and engaging that lesson would be.
            In my opinion, subjects are much to separated. Each school subject connects to the others in some way or form. If we were to link these subjects together, maybe students would not walk out of the classroom wondering why they were bothering to learn what they were learning because they would never use it in the future, but rather understand the purpose behind the lessons they were taught.            
            For this reason I believe that teaching the cultural aspect of music is imperative to a child’s curriculum. Yes, it is important to be able to play, listen to, and analyze pieces, but there is so much more to music education. For this reason, I love the website http://www.sbgmusic.com/html/teacher/reference/cultures.html. This website contains links to explanations of the different cultures of music, and gives a brief history. It also has a page devoted to explanations of different instruments from other countries because while symphony instruments are wonderful, it is also fascinating to learn about other instruments native to different areas.
            I would highly recommend that you check out this website, and think about what I’ve said as you look towards your career as a music educator. Remember, we are not only trying to teach the musicians of the future,  but are also responsible for teaching the past, and cultures that got us here.