Skip to content

policy

From STEM to STEAM!

In a particularly savvy move the National Association for Music Education is organizing a major effort to broaden the narrow and exclusionary (science, technology, engineering, and Math (STEM) discourse to the inclusive and more holistic STEAM (A = arts) discourse through the get STEAMed initiative. We have been through this before with the Sputnik era and Back to Basics movements among other initiatives that focused on science, technology, engineering, and math while excluding other aspects of education and ways of… Read More »From STEM to STEAM!

Journalism and the perpetuation of the “declining Music Education” trope

A recent article by Zachary Woolfe in the New York Times, Tested Out Upstate: Classical’s Future: Orchestras in Albany, Rochester and Buffalo Stay Nimble, is not about music education but perpetuates the myth that music education is on the decline or is “decimated.” This trope has a long tradition in a range of journalism even though it is rarely backed up by evidence or the voices of certified music educators. The article Apparently, We Disappeared by Lauren Kapalka Richerme traces… Read More »Journalism and the perpetuation of the “declining Music Education” trope

Reflecting on the present and looking ahead: A response to Shuler

To Cite or Download the Article: Tobias, E. S. (2014). Reflecting on the Present and Looking Ahead: A Response to Shuler. Arts Education Policy Review, 115(1), 26-33. doi: 10.1080/10632913.2014.847356 If you do not have institutional access to Arts Education Policy Review and would like a copy of the article, contact me via email or with a note in the comment section. My article Reflecting on the present and looking ahead: A response to Shuler is now available in Arts Education… Read More »Reflecting on the present and looking ahead: A response to Shuler

Upcoming Symposium on Music Teacher Education and “The State(s) of Music Education”

Curious about the latest research and thinking on music education from the perspectives of music teacher educators? Take a look at the schedule for the upcoming Symposium on Music Teacher Education taking place at UNC Greensboro Sept 26-28. The program looks fantastic and is sure to generate a buzz regarding the current state and future of music teacher education along with implications for K-12 music programs. I’m looking forward to presenting with my colleagues Marg Schmidt, Sandy Stauffer, and Jill… Read More »Upcoming Symposium on Music Teacher Education and “The State(s) of Music Education”

Music, Expression, Responding to Current Events, Trayvon Martin, & National Music Standards

Music plays numerous important functions in society and as part of the human experience. Merriam (1964), for instance, outlines 10 functions of music. Several functions of music apply to the role that music can play in responding to current events, such as the death of Trayvon Martin, recent acquittal of George Zimmerman and related issues. The following four functions of music hold particular relevance in this context: Emotional expression (including the opportunity to provide people with a variety of emotional… Read More »Music, Expression, Responding to Current Events, Trayvon Martin, & National Music Standards