My Resolution

2009 will hopefully prove to be a year of hope and change in the world. The masses have come out in support of a new kind of civil revolution. So too shall we have an uprising in the music education community of progressive thought. I have made it my goal to make this the year that I formulate my philosophy statements into a conference presentation as a contribution to this much needed critique of music in schools.

What I would encourage all who read this or are involved in music education to do is give serious thought to the state of music in the schools. Are we, as teachers, providing student-centered programs that are available to the entire population in addition to our traditional performance classes? Is creativity (and not re-creativity) a major part of the curriculum? Is music learning made meaningful for all our students? These are the questions that will drive me probably for the remainder of my career (as change is never a simple, overnight matter), and I am always appreciative of the thoughts of my friends and colleagues. Cheers to you all in ‘09!