Curriculum Suggestions from the 1960s

Musical Curriculum will always grow and evolve, however, there are some points from the 1960s that are still relevant.  The Yale Seminar, the Manhattanville Music Curriculum Project, and the Tanglewook Symposium made three main recommendations for Music Curriculum.

1. They suggested a broader and more representative repertoire for listening and performance.  This includes Western music of all periods, music of different cultures, avante-garde, and American styles.  It is important to show students music that they may have never heard before, because not only does it help teach them about different cultures, lifestyles, and historical periods, but they might even find something they really love and want to pursue.  In high-school, I was never really exposed to anything too different or eclectic.  A big part of music education is learning to appreciate and understand styles we aren't used to.
2. Music programs should include greater opportunities for musical expression and creativity, through composition and improvisation experiences.  This may be more true for middle and high school, but it is something that seems to be missing from the music curriculum lately. When students begin playing in ensembles in middle school, their music class experience becomes much more rigid.  Students should be encouraged to improvise and compose more, because it gives them more insight into how their instrument, and music in general, works.
3. There should be a more extensive use of technology and the media to aid instruction.  Its amazing how much more relevant this point is now than it was in the 1960s.  We have so many different options when it comes to technology in the classroom.  Whether it's a Smart Board with Smart Music on it, a composition lab equipped with Macs and midi keyboards, or a simple microphone to record rehearsals, it all helps tremendously.  The challenge now is to start welcoming technology and using it as a tool instead of viewing it as a threat.