Date

3-22-2024

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Music Education (DME)

Chair

Lori Danielson

Keywords

Music Education, Music Technology, Comprehensive, Praxial, Non-Traditional, Music Industry

Disciplines

Fine Arts | Music

Abstract

Most elementary schools provide music education to all students at least once a week. Music education has been proven to be beneficial to all students. After elementary school, this benefit is no longer afforded to all students. Many secondary schools only offer music education in the form of ensembles such as band, orchestra, or chorus. Students who do not have the finger dexterity to play an instrument or the aural accuracy to match pitch have no place to receive music education after elementary general music class. Non-traditional music courses such as music technology or music media and industry provide all of the elements of music without requiring students to have any prior musical knowledge. This case study examined the benefits and barriers of offering nontraditional music courses in secondary schools. The study gathered information through district data from two of the largest school districts in Georgia. One of the key findings from the study is the substantial increase in overall enrollment in music education courses. Although the results may suggest that nontraditional music courses are beneficial to music education in secondary schools, there are districts that still have not implemented nontraditional courses to provide a comprehensive music education to all students. The study shows one secondary school that implemented non-traditional courses and saw the same benefits as a neighboring district who chose to offer these courses in all secondary schools. Music education was available to all students. Keywords: traditional music course, nontraditional music course, enrollment, comprehensive music education.

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