Beyond the Classroom: Rethinking the Boundaries of Music Education

Although Music Education is not necessarily needed to become a better musician, it sure helps put us on a better path to doing so. As, Dr. Hagen, my Wind Ensemble teacher, mentioned in an interview, music education allows others to identify and understand the specific factors they need to improve on to become a better musician, which creates a better foundation of learning. In other words, pursuing music without music education and teaching can sometimes be like trying to write an English essay when you have no idea how an essay is even structured. Even though there are some cases where others are very talented in a certain craft without much instruction, music education is a surefire way to reach musical proficiency and find value in pursuing an art. 

I know playing music is a much bigger commitment than listening to music on the radio, but music education is an essential aspect of a generally well-rounded education and a way for others to find comfort in pursuing new experiences. Music in a school setting allows for a more diverse curriculum and is a great way to destress from core subjects. Individually, pursuing music can improve memory/recall, develop math and number skills, and foster team building through big bands and group ensembles. 

However, most public school districts, especially in underserved communities, continue to suspend music education to support “greater” programs like clubs, sports, and, most importantly, academics. But why are music and arts programs considered less important? In this article, I will explore what prevents music education and how we can reconcile and improve this outcome. 

Ultimately, the largest factors impeding the progress of music education are time and money. As life in America goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. To achieve saxophone proficiency, I have to cover the costs of renting/buying an instrument (most saxophones cost $3000), saxophone reeds (each bamboo reed costs $5 on average), and repairs, not to mention the countless hours I spend practicing each week. Most people may not have the time to pursue music, and even if they do, they may lack adequate funding to do so. 

One way we can create more engagement in music and music education is through projects like my music website. Blog articles, videos, or interviews with people involved in music education and the industry are a great way to bring up the importance of music in our lives and expand the music community. Promoting performances and other public music venues through social media are other great ways to bring music to a greater audience. In underprivileged communities, music outreach initiatives and sponsorships with renowned companies and organizations can also foster musical engagement while still benefiting local and global companies. Although developing a foundation of music education is a very complex and difficult issue, the government can subsidize music education and opportunities, creating more access to musical instruments, lessons, and free tuition to music schools and programs. While the importance of music is undermined by society, there are many ways we can support music as a career, pastime, and source of community engagement to improve our way of life.