Karen Mari Music Education Philosophy Receiving a basic musical education is the process by which a student gains a working

knowledge of the concepts and applications of music that permeate everyday life. The purpose of a musical education is to allow a student to fluently recognize, understand, and apply the basic musical concepts that surround them, and in doing so, elevate the student to a higher order of intellectual functioning. By the end of the formal education process, students should be able to freely express themselves by musical means and understand the musical expressions of others. The study of music is unique in that it combines emotional outlet, intellectual discipline, and physical action into one all encompassing endeavor. Receiving a musical education strengthens all of these aspects of the student, who can apply the gains made through music to other parts of his or her or their life. Music is more than a means to non-musical ends, however. Receiving a music education is important for the same reason receiving a literary or mathematical education is important people are surrounded by musical, linguistic, and mathematical things in common life and expected to recognize and be fluent in dealing with them. Music is ingrained in modern society, thus functioning in this society requires musical literacy. This ability to recognize and apply musical concepts should be available to all members of this musically inclusive society. Being literate is not considered an option in public schools. Students are expected to attain a certain level of literacy through curricular activity. So too should becoming musically literate be curricular for all students. After achieving a basic knowledge of the elements of music, continued musical education should be available to those who wish to further their studies. Just as upper level history courses are offered to students who enjoy history, advanced music classes should be available to those who would enjoy them, but not forced on those who have gained an appropriate knowledge and do not wish to pursue music any further. All students should receive instruction on the inner workings of music (i.e. melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, form). The form in which these lessons are imparted should vary to include all types of students and student interests, including the traditional, large ensemble based form, music appreciation, listening, theory, and more contemporary ensemble settings. The modern, most socially relevant means of conveying music has changed from the dominant band and orchestral traditions, and therefore, modern music performed outside of these ensembles should also be considered in determining how to teach music. Although musics delivery is constantly changing within society, the basics of music have remained the same throughout the ages. A musical education is valuable because it will serve students for the rest of their lives.