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Using Multicultural Music to Teach Western Music Concepts

WINTER 1989 Today, more and more adults are entering college or returning to college programs after having been away from the classroom for several years. These adults are often referred to, collectively, as "the non-traditional student." Educators consistently try to develop learning strategies which will give these adults positive classroom experiences and encourage them to continue their programs to a successful completion. These programs are likely to include a course in music appreciation or music fundamentals as part of a general fine arts requirement Adults enrolled in college programs are highly motivated to succeed with their studies. They approach their work seriously; they demand much of themselves. However, these same individuals experience great anxiety about certain courses because they think their knowledge of a subject is too slight to be of any real help to them. They believe, also, that their absence from the classroom over the years negatively affects their chances for success. Over the years, I have noticed that adults enrolled in music fundamentals or music appreciation courses exemplify this attitude. They have little or no knowledge of the elements of music, and most texts begin with the discussion of these elements. The adults facing a typical fifteen-week semester think they will not grasp the initial material on which understanding of the future chapters depends. I have discovered that if I begin the initial class meeting by having all the students perform a musical work, these adults quickly lose many of their anxieties and, early on, approach the course with optimism in spite of their perceived (usually erroneously) educational handicaps. College level general studies students also react positively to this approach. Class performances increase the students' motivation to maintain an interest in the course. For several years I have used this approach in my classes, and they are always filled to capacity, even though there are several other courses available that fulfill the Arts requirement