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1350
Incan Empire
First Roots of Structured Music Education -
1523
Education for the Aztec Tribal Chieftan Kindred
Cortez initiated a call to action to educate Aztecs. Pedro de Gante established a school in Vera Cruz. Playing instruments and copying were introduced. -
French Schools Were Added Starting in the Late 1500's
Music of John Dowland and William Byrd In This Era -
Colonial America
Singing in the Churches was Documented -
Music in the Curriculum
German settlements in now modern day Pennsylvania with schools emphasizing sacred and secular music -
1st American Music Textbook
Reverend John Tufts "An Introduction to the Singing of Psalm Tunes" -
Singing Schoolmaster William Billings
1st significant American born composer. Wrote "Chester" a patriotic song in relation to the Revolutionary War. -
From "Band of Musick" to Town Bands
Pre-Revolutionary War small military unit bands. Post War, termed "Town Bands" which doubled in size. -
"Music in the Schools" United States
The American Frontier was expanding. Lowell Mason instituted "singing schools" in the Boston Schools. This is the official first beginnings. -
Two Important Publications
Mason's "Manual of the Boston Academy" and Luther Whiting Mason's "National Music Course." Became the standard until 1925. -
John Philip Sousa
Sousa started the band movement in America. He started with the US Marine Band and then created his own ensemble who he took on tour. His popularity influenced the development of school bands, community and professional bands. -
World War I
The war maintained the survival of bands. Music was used for patriotic purposes. -
Progressive Education Movement
Inclusion of Orchestras and Bands in the Classroom -
World War II and Aftermath
The war caused strains on Music Education. The efforts of instrumental music teachers created a resurge. Igor Stravinsky was a composer in this era. -
Young Composers Project
Was to familiarize music educators and their students with modern music (20th Century). Composers were put in schools as composers-in-residence. -
Major MENC Contribution
Along with the Berskshire Music Center, Boston University and the Theodore Presser Foundation Grant the Tanglewood Symposium was organized. Profound discourse on Music Education. -
National Commission on Excellence in Education
"A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform" was a reform that questioned education parameters and almost jeopardized the state of music in the schools. -
Charles Fowler
Fowler made a profound impact on keeping music at an appropriate metric through "reform and reflection." His ideologies hold true today.
