The article addresses "Bildung" from a Finnish perspective and asks: Are there specific meanings of Bildung that are typical of a certain time and place? The author applies a multi-layered theory of critical positivism, adapting its three-level structure to music education and the concept of "Bildung." First, she discusses…

In recent years, the internationalization of music education has become an important topic. Scholars of various research traditions try to find the best solutions for problems in music education theory and practice by taking a look at what other countries do. English as common language seems to facilitate this recent development. However, in spite…

This article serves to extend a critique initiated by Allsup and Benedict in their 2008 PMER article, "The Problems of Band." Using the work of Michael Foucault as a theoretical and methodological basis, I consider ways in which today's large ensemble paradigm, particularly that of the wind band, has resulted in an ongoing antinomy in school music…

In this article I will discuss the originally German term and concept of Bildung. The reason why I, as a Scandinavian, find such a discussion both interesting and important is that the trend of instrumentalism in modern educational politics and pedagogical thinking (at least in Scandinavian countries) is problematic; that is, looking on knowledge…

In this article, the author, a member of the International Society for the Philosophy of Music Education (ISPME), shares his views on the future of the "philosophy of music education." According to him, the "philosophy of music education" can be and is, many different things. He argues that the ISPME should develop an open and accommodating, but…

In this article, the author talks about the International Society for Philosophy of Music Education (ISPME). The ISPME is creating and institutionalizing a forum that can nurture and critique ideas and practices and sustain the work of philosophical reflection in music education over the longer term. It has begun to build an international team of…

The name of Manos Hadjidakis is probably unknown to contemporary musicians and music educators. After all, the Greek composer achieved his international fame back in 1961 when he won an Oscar for his soundtrack of the movie, "Never on Sunday." Numerous other awards followed from England, Krance, Germany, and of course, Greece. After his six years…

Manos Hadjidakis and his work are like his song, "O Mythos," for they take you from reality to fantasy and bring you back again. In Magnus Eroticus, the combination of lyrics and music is at the highest level of sensibility and the musical style of each song is superb. Music follows the verse to express its deepest meaning while maintaining its…

There are two issues that struck the author, Jason Helfer, as essential from his consideration of Miralis' paper and the ideas of Manos Hadjidakis: Eros as a pedagogical idea and learner interactions in the music classroom. These ideas developed from his interpretation of Miralis' paper, from his experiences in teacher training, and teaching in…

School music education in Japan is in a less than ideal situation. In April 2002, the new course of study was implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The total number of music classes in the new curriculum was reduced to 33% of what it had been by the end of 2002. The reduction went from two hours…

Masafumi Ogawa cares deeply about improving music teacher education and has grave concerns about Japan's current music education and teacher training system. He notes reduced instructional time, cuts in teaching positions, and classroom management issues resulting in the devaluing of music education by administrators, students, and the general…

Masafumi Ogawa's paper presents challenge after challenge facing the teacher and the teacher educator in Japan. One has the sense that a lifetime of frustrations with the national curriculum, the set-up of student teaching, and the definition of music as a school subject each made its way into the paper. Even choosing to focus on teacher training…

Examines the way education in the United Kingdom is organized around the idea of passing on received wisdom, suggesting education is for life. Presents a model of the musical self to examine a range of musical experiences within the music curriculum. (CMK)

Outlines Australian Aboriginal perspectives, groundedness in particular, on life and the world around them. Shows the need for adopting Aboriginal conceptions and ideology in western industrialized societies enabling those cultures to experience the textures of life. Emphasizes the role of listening as a way for other cultures to adopt Aboriginal…