Date
11-13-2024
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Music Education (DME)
Chair
Jerry Newman
Keywords
mlharland@liberty.edu
Disciplines
Music
Recommended Citation
Moon, Sophia Grace, "The Contrast in Music Aesthetics Prior to the Romantic Era and Its Impact on Music Education" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6160.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6160
Abstract
This qualitative study explores the approach to music education prior to the Romantic period. Prior to the modern era, the aesthetics of music explored the mathematical and scientific dimensions of rhythmic and harmonic organization. The composition of music was very structured, there was a “right” approach to composing. In the era of Romanticism, some composers and critics argued that music should and could serve as a means for self-expression or the conveying of emotion. Beginning in the Romantic era composers were free to experiment with musical ideas. Traditionally accepted manners for composition had less meaning, as composers were given the power to express themselves freely. This thesis explores how music educators can incorporate aspects of pre-romantic music education into our music education today. It will study the approach of music education of early societies to the end of the classical period to deduce how these approaches are relevant to our music education system today. By implementing a more mathematical approach to music education, music may better align with STEM education, which is a focus of many schools today. This will benefit the critical thinking skills of students and it will help them in other subjects in and outside of school. We can always stand to learn from the past.
