Date

5-1-2025

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Music Education (DME)

Chair

Brian Stiffler

Keywords

Higher Purpose, Music Education, United States, Martin Luther, Protestant, Christian

Disciplines

Music

Abstract

Educators in the United States may question music education’s higher purpose, considering high-stakes testing and an emphasis on non-musical subjects. This qualitative narrative study examines three American protestant Christian music educators’ perceptions of music education’s higher purpose and compares them to Martin Luther’s (1483-1546) writings. The researcher conducted interviews with three participants to record the story of how they developed their higher purpose for music education. The data was tabulated and coded for thematic analysis. This study supports a Christian defense of continued music education in America’s schools, distinguishes modern Christian perspectives, and offers a fresh understanding of the historical perceptions of Martin Luther. Participants expressed a higher purpose that included community-building, professional development, and echoes of Reformation-era ideas. Practical applications include restoring a sense of agency to teachers and supporting meaningful musical professional development. These actions can support community-building, give teachers a higher purpose, and prevent burnout from the profession.

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