Never has there been a time in music education more open to teaching multicultural music. So, why are so many teachers hesitant to include music from different cultures in their classrooms. We will look at current research in Music Education to find some answers.
by Me’Haley Babich
In the previous articles of this series the evidence is clear that most music teachers consider multicultural music to be an essential part of music education for all students. However, many music teachers are reluctant to include multicultural material because they do not have sufficient training to use these materials. I have decided to share some of my favorite resources that I have included in my own teaching to bridge this gap.
First Steps in Global Music by Karen Howard
Author Karen Howard opens the door to encountering songs from diverse cultures and experiences on themes from family, animals, flowers, food, and more. Songs are organized by geographical region, with context and guidance to bring each song to life.
$24.95Add to cart
Sing a Song, Play a Game by Aimee Pfitzner
Aimee Pfitzner created a collection of singing games from the United States and around the world. Games include action games, ball games, catching games, chase games, clapping games, elimination games, and name games.
$31.95Add to cart
Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. It contains an anthology of multicultural lesson plans, authentic recordings from around the world, and connects viewers to multicultural professional development opportunities.
Nordic Sounds is an e-book that contains a collection of traditional dances, music, songs, games, rhymes, and lullabies from Nordic Countries. Each day the website offers daily picks for teaching music.
Radio Garden is an international research project that has been made public. This resource allows you to listen to radio stations located all around the world. This is a great website for comparing popular and traditional music from different cultures in real time.
Your Students
Students in your classroom, and their families, are an already available and invaluable resource. Do not be afraid to invite students to share their native culture with your classes. You will be surprised by the wonderful things your students can teach you.
Diverse Literature
Incorporating multicultural music into the classroom does not have to be limited to just music. Bringing books from diverse backgrounds to your students is a great way to include different cultures in your lessons.
Books can be collected from your book fair, local thrift stores, or online. Look for topics that focus on diverse cultures or countries and also authors from those backgrounds or experience in those cultures.
Culture or Tradition Bearers
Culture or Tradition Bearers from the community are a great resource for any music teacher wanting to expand their knowledge of multicultural music. Finding a tradition bearer can be as simple as a search on the internet or asking a student if they would like to invite family members to share their culture. The goal does not have to be the creation of a formal lesson, informal meetings are just as valuable.
Article Series
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: The Research
Part 3: My Curiosity
Part 4: My Discoveries
Part 5: Resources to Get You Started
Contributor
Me’Haley Babich is a PhD student in Music Education at George Mason University. As a Presidential Award recipient for the university, she has the opportunity to focus solely on research and advocacy for music education during her degree. Me’Haley has nine years of teaching experience…
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