What are the advantages and disadvantages of a musical education ...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a musical education ...
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a musical education ...
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‘Music is used to develop <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> her physically weaker left side, by encouraging Jessie to<br />
reach out <strong>and</strong> play <strong>the</strong> guitar <strong>and</strong> keyboard in particular. I also play short sharp sounds, for<br />
example on a wood block, to encourage Jessie to turn where <strong>the</strong> sound is coming from to<br />
develop her aw<strong>are</strong>ness <strong>of</strong> her surroundings’ (2005, P.156). Music <strong>the</strong>rapy has helped to<br />
change <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> many children living with special needs. It has had an extremely<br />
beneficial effect <strong>and</strong> contributed to <strong>the</strong>ir having a better quality <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
Music in <strong>the</strong> Curriculum<br />
Artist Jackie Spivey said that: ‘Music <strong>education</strong> is an important aspect <strong>of</strong> student growth<br />
<strong>and</strong> is not a luxury, but a necessity to all children’ (2009).<br />
Music has always been a subject that has caused debate within government on whe<strong>the</strong>r or not<br />
it should be a compulsory subject within <strong>the</strong> National Curriculum. Many people, such as<br />
Spivey, have strong beliefs that music should be a compulsory subject in schools, while<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs believe that it detracts from what <strong>the</strong>y believe to be more beneficial subjects such as<br />
English <strong>and</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matics. Music is currently statutory at Key Stages 1-3. The National<br />
Curriculum has two main aims. The first aim is to provide opportunities for all pupils to learn<br />
<strong>and</strong> achieve. The second is to promote pupil’s moral, social <strong>and</strong> cultural development to<br />
prep<strong>are</strong> pupils for <strong>the</strong> experiences, responsibilities <strong>and</strong> opportunities that <strong>the</strong>y will face in<br />
life. The four main purposes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Curriculum <strong>are</strong> to establish an entitlement, to<br />
establish st<strong>and</strong>ards, to promote continuity <strong>and</strong> coherence, <strong>and</strong> to promote public<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing. ‘The National Curriculum secures for all pupils, irrespective <strong>of</strong> social<br />
background, culture, race, gender, differences in ability <strong>and</strong> disabilities, an entitlement to a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> <strong>are</strong>as <strong>of</strong> learning <strong>and</strong> to develop knowledge, underst<strong>and</strong>ing, skills <strong>and</strong> attitudes<br />
necessary for <strong>the</strong>ir self-fulfillment <strong>and</strong> development as active <strong>and</strong> responsible citizens’<br />
(National Curriculum online, 2011).<br />
There <strong>are</strong> now talks within government about a change being made in <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Curriculum with some subjects such as music being dropped. Subjects such as English <strong>and</strong><br />
Ma<strong>the</strong>matics will, <strong>of</strong> course, always be compulsory subjects within <strong>the</strong> National Curriculum,<br />
but <strong>the</strong>re still hasn’t been a definite decision made on whe<strong>the</strong>r music will be a statutory<br />
subject in <strong>the</strong> future. Possible alternatives being considered include giving local <strong>education</strong><br />
authorities responsibility for music provision, perhaps on a fee-paying basis. This risks<br />
denying low-income families access to this valuable aspect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>education</strong>.<br />
If music becomes non-statutory, it may well follow <strong>the</strong> same path as foreign languages,<br />
which became optional in <strong>the</strong> curriculum some years ago. After a few years everyone became<br />
shocked at how poorly <strong>the</strong> UK was performing in this <strong>are</strong>a comp<strong>are</strong>d to our European<br />
Music Education in Regard to Children CM6002 Emily McGregor 163930<br />
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