Critical Issues in Music Education: Contemporary Theory and Practice examines the rich and challenging complexities of music teaching and learning from a variety of perspectives. With individual expertise in fields including assessment, philosophical foundations, technology, mentoring, critical theory, and musical development, the contributing authors are graduates or faculty at the highly regarded Teachers College of Columbia University. In this text, they link current educational theory to pedagogical inquiry of current educational practice, calling for teachers to critically reflect on such professional activities as lesson planning, curriculum design, repertoire choice, and student evaluation. Designed for upper-level undergraduate and introductory graduate courses, Critical Issues in Music Education provides beginning music educators with comprehensive grounding in research-based practice. It also gives more experienced teachers new lenses to help them innovate, interpret, and lead in their profession. FEATURES * Links theory to teaching practice through a variety of perspectives * Traces the historical, philosophical, and social underpinnings of current beliefs, theories, and practices * Suggests reflective tools and professional development strategies for music teachers * Includes discussion starters, project ideas, and suggested readings at the end of each chapter

Preface Contributors 1. Historical Contexts of Music Education, Harold F. Abeles Introduction Music Education in the First Half of the 20th Century Federal Education Policy and Music Education: 1950-Present Equity Issues in Music Education: 1950-Present Summary 2. Music as Socio-cultural Phenomenon, Roberta Lamb Introduction: "A Framework of Explanations" Sociology in Education, Music, and Music Education Formalism: Functionalist (Durkheim) and Rationalized (Weber) Critical Theory, The Frankfurt School, and Critical Pedagogy Interaction Theories in Education and Music Social Justice: Interactions with Webs of Difference Web of Postmodernism in Education Technology Transforming Music Education Summary 3. Philosophical Perspectives of Music Education, Randall Allsup Introduction Philosophy and Education Aesthetic Philosophy Philosophical Rationales for Music in the Schools Conclusion 4. Meaning and Experience: The Music Learner, Lori Custodero Introduction Musical Meaning and Embodiment Processing Experience: Cognitive Structures and Connections The "Creating" Mind: Meanings through Constructing and Interpreting Music Key Issues in Music Learning Meaningful Engagement in Music Teaching and Learning 5. The Learner in Community, Patricia St. John The Community of Learners Learning Strategies in Community Communities of Musical Learning Summary 6. Music Learning and Musical Development, Lori Custodero Introduction Key Issues in Musical Developmental General Theories of Development and Musical Applications Pathways and Patterns of Musical Development Developmental Characteristics of Music Learners Summary: On Being and Becoming Musical 7. Curriculum, Cathy Benedict Introduction Scientific and Technical Rationality Curriculum Reconceptualized "Multicultural" Curriculum Some Concluding Remarks 8. Assessing Music Learning, Harold Abeles Introduction Considerations of Assessment Assessing the Outcomes of Music Instruction Alternative Approaches to Assessing the Outcomes of Music Instruction Standardized Testing in Music State and National Assessments of the Outcomes of Music Instruction Evaluating School Music Programs Conclusion 9. Methods and Approaches, Cathy Benedict Introduction Emile Jacques-Dalcroze Kodaly Carl Orff Shinichi Suzuki Edwin Gordon General Issues and Lingering Thoughts 10. Choosing Music Literature, Randall Allsup Introduction The Problems of Tradition The Problems of Change Teacher Judgment Summary 11. Music Education Technology, James Frankel Technology in the Music Classroom Classroom Environments Computer-Aided Instruction Music Production Software New Instruments New Media--New Directions Conclusions 12. Music Teacher Education in the 21st Century: Developing Leaders in the Field, Colleen Conway Introduction Music Teacher Education Research Context Music Teacher Education Policy Context Recruitment of Music Education Majors into the Preservice Program General Issues in Music Teacher Education Curriculum Supporting Beginning Music Teachers Challenges of the First Years Conclusion 13. The Inquiring Music Teacher, Harold Abeles and Colleen Conway Introduction Sources of Research in Music Education Approaches to Research Quantitative Approaches to Research Historical Research Qualitative Research Action Research and Teachers as Researchers Summary 14. Framing a Professional Life: Collaboration and Leadership, Harold Abeles, Colleen Conway, and Lori Custodero Introduction Collaborations Involvement in Local, State, Regional, and National Professional Music International Opportunities for Professional Development Envisioning a Career Path Advocating and Initiating Change: Providing Leadership Developing as a Professional Conclusion References Index