The danger of music education advocacy

Abstract

Why has music education needed to argue for its worth as part of schooling? Several answers have existed, attempting to demonstrate that music is more than ‘what comes naturally’, that it deserves to be studied as all other school subjects are, and that its benefits require clear and thoughtful explanation. While valid, these answers focus attention outward, to persuade others that our existing programs can and do accomplish the often grandiose claims we make. What is required, if we are ever to get over our needs to advocate desperately, is to examine ourselves and what we do: whether we are in fact offering the most relevant programs for all students rather than for the few in whom we are interested. To the degree we fulfill our cultures’ musical needs, rather than our own special interests, we will be relieved of the necessity to advocate as we do.