Date
12-16-2025
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Music Education (DME)
Chair
John Wilkerson
Keywords
Elementary Instrumental Music Access
Disciplines
Education | Music
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Alonzo B., "Instrumental Music Education Accessibility in Elementary School within Independent Public Schools: Case Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7837.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7837
Abstract
Access to music education in elementary schools has been a topic of many debates. Due to diminishing resources, music education programs have been subject to budget cuts in many elementary schools across the United States. When funds are insufficient, music education is among the first programs to be cut from the school curriculum. Because of this lack of funding, many music students must wait until middle school to benefit from an instrumental music education. In other instances, this access is not granted until students reach the high school level. This lack of access to instrumental music education in elementary school directly affects marching and symphonic band programs at the middle, high school, and college levels. While they are valuable to music programs and schools by supporting music education, marching bands have been the subject of much debate among music educators and school administrators, often centered on musical merits, budgetary concerns, and student time commitment. Some public schools have recently shifted to the Independent Public Schools model, which gives schools greater autonomy to develop a well-rounded education that better supports students within school walls. The Public Charter System model is governed by a council consisting of school faculty, parents, and community members. This paper will discuss advocacy for elementary instrumental music education within the Independent Public Schools.
