About the Book
Teaching Music in American Society addresses the social and cultural issues affecting K-12 music teachers in the United States. The book's premise is based on the philosophy that successful music teaching requires more than the knowledge of conducting and performing. Successful music teachers must be knowledgeable in their subject, and be socially and culturally aware of students, issues, and events affecting their classrooms. Teaching Music in American Society applies philosophical, social, cultural, and theoretical issues to common musical classroom and rehearsal situations encountered daily in a culturally and musically diverse American society.
The book begins by introducing basic sociological information and terminology, then proceeds into philosophical and theoretical foundations relating to music education. The effects of political issues and policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act and state-mandated testing on music education are addressed, as well as professionalism and the basics of becoming a teacher, from initial certification to salary structures and legal concerns. All topics and material are research based to provide a foundation and current perspective on each issue.