Sound Pedagogy: Radical Care in Music

Music education should be rooted in care and kindness, and the editors of Sound Pedagogy have curated essays that provide practical strategies for bringing transformative learning and engaged pedagogies to music classrooms. Contributors draw from personal experience to address issues such as radical kindness, listening to non-human musicality, public musicology, and radical approaches to teaching about race through music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Music education today necessitates a holistic approach that combines care and kindness with the dismantling of systems that fail to serve our communities in higher education. However, as the essayists in Sound Pedagogy demonstrate, the structural aspects of music study in higher education present significant obstacles to these values, such as the entrenched master-student model, a neoliberal individualist and competitive mindset, and the white patriarchal roots of classical music.

To address these challenges, the editors of this volume have curated a collection of essays that employ a broad definition of care pedagogy, one informed by interdisciplinary scholarship and designed to provide practical strategies for bringing transformative learning and engaged pedagogies to music classrooms. The contributors draw from their personal experiences to address a range of issues, including radical kindness through universal design, listening to non-human musicality, public musicology as a platform for social justice discourse, and radical approaches to teaching about race through music.

One of the key themes in the essays is the importance of recognizing and challenging power dynamics in music education. The contributors argue that the master-student model, which reinforces hierarchies and inequalities, must be replaced with a more equitable and collaborative approach. They suggest that teachers should prioritize student voice and agency, and create learning environments that are inclusive and supportive of all students.

Another important aspect of care pedagogy is the recognition of the diverse experiences and perspectives of students. The contributors argue that music education should be inclusive of all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. They suggest that teachers should use a variety of teaching strategies and materials to engage and support students from diverse backgrounds, and create learning environments that are safe and respectful for all students.

The essays also address the role of public musicology in promoting social justice and equity. The contributors argue that musicology can be a powerful tool for challenging dominant narratives and promoting diversity and inclusion. They suggest that musicologists should engage with communities and use their research to advocate for social change and promote equity in music education.

In conclusion, the essays in Sound Pedagogy provide a valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities of music education today. They demonstrate that care pedagogy is essential for promoting transformative learning and engaged pedagogies in music classrooms. By recognizing and challenging power dynamics, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and engaging with public musicology, music educators can create learning environments that are safe, respectful, and supportive of all students.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252087707