Popular Music Study in Schools

I think that what is needed is a hands-on opportunity for students who have a passion for music to find outlets within the school system in order to allow them to pursue the music that interests them, and not to force them into the existing conventional categories. Musicians interested in classical or jazz should have an opportunity to study in those areas. A student whose interest lies in making remixes of a popular song on MTV, should also be considered legitimate and instructed accordingly.

A program is required that will let popular music enter the classroom alongside other more traditional music curriculum’s. It is essential to allow the students the opportunity for instruction in performance, arrangements for modern ensembles, popular songwriting, and teaching techniques for the recording studio. Music promotion courses are something that have long been over-looked and should be included in classes that prepare young musicians for the world of professional music in the 21st century. Classes should include information on internet distribution and financing in the music industry, and could offer a potential to other students who are interested in the music industry as a career, but are not musicians themselves. Professional instruction that deals with the production of music videos for the entertainment industry is also an area that needs to be addressed. The world of popular music made its appearance on the home computer long ago, and instruction in this area is something that students deserve. A classroom that combines all of the aspects of the industry may be based in a computer in the classroom. This will allow the students to receive instruction in sound recording and video/graphics editing and provide on-line communications with other institutions as well where students can benefit from contact with other business professionals and schools.

I believe that it is important for teachers to offer the students relevant material in order for the students to submerse themselves to the level that they will need in order to succeed in the modern entertainment industry.

A commitment is needed by school administrations across the globe to allow music students the opportunity to study the music that they love, modern popular music. The time is ripe for a new generation of musicians who know what they want and they know how to get it.