Joe Shively, Editor
As we settle into fall, music classrooms all across our state are alive with possibilities. In the current climate, we should all celebrate the outstanding teaching being done by music educators across Michigan. More important even is all that students across our state our learning in their music classes. We must make sure we communicate every success to all relevant stakeholders.
As a first year music educator in rural South Carolina in 1985, I felt a sense of isolation both within my school and from my colleagues in other schools. I realized right away that our professional organizations bring us together. The importance of the National Association for Music Education and the Michigan Music Education Association cannot be stressed enough. Our professional journals provide us with the opportunity to be together, to discuss professional practice and to develop as music educators. I hope this issue provides everyone the opportunity to reflect upon our shared professional practice and grow.
As part of a project recognizing 50 years of the Michigan Music Educator, we will be reprinting articles from past issues throughout this school year. In this volume, we bring you two articles that are speeches from the Thirteenth Annual Midwestern Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music, held January 10 and 11, 1958. The first, “Music As A Dynamic Force In Changing Educational Pattern,” was given by William Sur, President of the North Central Music Educators Association and Michigan State University faculty member. The second, “Music Education Grows Up—An Administrator’s Point Of View,” was given by Richard Percy, who was Personnel Director of the Kalamazoo Schools and would soon serve as superintendent throughout the 1960s.
I ask that you carefully consider these articles. While some of the language and expressions may be of an era, I think the ideas still resonate today. Consider this from Williams Sur’s speech:
Pressures are building up on the national scene. These pressures will be reflected in action taken on the local level. All of us have faith in music as a part of the school program; we believe that music can be a dynamic force in the changing educational pattern. We must have the courage to state our belief in music and, as a profession, stand our ground against those who would take advantage of difficult times to deprive children of a musical education.
Unfortunately, we are likely to read this in a current article about music education. The question for us all is how to avoid this still being true in 2058. While there can be diverse opinions about how best to musically educate our students, we must continue to communicate to all stakeholders that we, as a profession, are unified in the belief that all students deserve a high quality music education.
Here is the question: How might each of us as music educators stand our ground? Standing one’s ground may sound militant. However, when one considers that what is at stake, perhaps a somewhat militant tone starts to be in order.
In the second speech, Richard Percy stakes out a clear path as an administrator who sees the value of music education. He challenges us to take control of our professional future: Whether or not we shall be known in the future as a people who were musically creative and literate can be determined only by the awareness and the drive of America’s music teachers; can be determined only by you.
Percy understood, over fifty years ago, that music teachers are a special and determined group. Let us not lose sight of the potential we have to effect change on music education in the state of Michigan. There is always disagreement as to whether a grass roots or top down approach works best. There is no reason to make this choice. The Michigan Music Education Association and related groups in combination with each of us in our school and community have the potential to effect change. Much of what we do may seem small, but small adds up. Do not pass up an opportunity improve the quality of music education in your own situation and to communicate what is going on in your program.
Beyond these reprints you will find a range of articles for your consideration. There are so many topics of interest for music educators and we strive to bring you significant content in this journal. Let us know what you would like to read about in this journal; submit an article on a topic of interest. TheMichigan Music Educator is just one way to be professionally engaged.
Finally, I must say mea culpa. In the last issue of the Michigan Music Educator, the article “Teaching Children with Autism in the Elementary Music Classroom” was published with name of an author from another issue. Elizabeth Crabtree is the author of this article and we are publishing it again with the correct attribution. This is a thought-provoking article on an important topic that is worth reading again.
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From the Editor
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