Mike asked, after a thoughtful blog post about musical education: "...should students be required to take music education? Or should it be an elective to those that are interested?"
It is, of course, an interesting question and the answer is, unfortunately albeit inevitably, it depends. But upon what does it depend, well that is answered rather simply: it depends upon the grade level of the student in question.
If Elisha never encountered musical education in her earlier years, how then could we expect her to select it as an elective when the opportunity finally arose. It would be prudent, then, to force, or require students such as Elisha to take musical education, along with all other practical types, during the early stages of education, so that when electives arrive, she understands which classes will benefit her more than others.
So the answer to your question would be, I think, most effective if we did both. We require it when student are young and discovering interests and disciplines, and then we offer it as an elective when they are older and have some idea of their own educational requirements and preferences.
Question: Is music helpful enough for it to be required along with the time honored traditions of Science, Math, English, and History?
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