Popular Music Study in Schools

Not enough time is dedicated to helping students interested in today's music find the tools and resources that they need within the school system to allow them to pursue their dreams. It is important to integrate popular music as an integral element into conventional music programs and to encourage school administrations to take notice and initiate plans towards providing instruction and facilities for these students.

I once ran across a notice in a musician's chat room that read like this:

"Music defines who I am and it helps me to find myself. There is an endless beauty to every note of real music I hear. I love to watch the kids at my school play and let myself be consumed with their music; even if they have a wrong note… it's still beautiful. I don't know a single person who relates to me, and I want someone to talk to. If anyone shares this passion with me please contact- deviated from society"

This note reminded me of a day in music theory seminar at West High School (class of 1980) where we were all invited to bring in records to play during the class in order to analyze the recordings and talk about them. A friend of mine brought in the Neil Young record called "Decade" which was a multi-million seller and a landmark album of the time. After about half of the first song had played through, the teacher, one of my favorite instructors at the school, took off the record and told us that this music had little or no value for the class. He said that Neil Young played and sang off-key and he insisted that from now on all musical choices be appropriate for his class. His response was based on the fact that good music was something that should be played in tune and according to the rules! No matter how strong the emotional impact of the music might be, certain principals should be strictly adhered to.

This moment well represents the lack of instruction that there is for popular music in the school system. Popular music that grosses millions of dollars in profits each year is not usually of any interest to most school music programs. Although there are usually numerous programs for teaching music, most of them give instruction in the genres of classical and jazz and most of the instrumental and vocal groups in schools are geared toward this approach. Any exposure to popular music that students may have is after school, and it is usually left up to the student's resourcefulness to find his way alone.

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.