A Little Town in Northern Italy and Community

In the city of Reggio Emilia there are a group of early childhood educators who have changed the way many people envision education. The pre-school teachers who work in the Municipal Preschools of Reggio Emilia believe, among other things, that their schools must be an integral part of their local communities or neighborhoods. In a city that was designed for foot traffic rather than automobile traffic, this is more easily accomplished, logistically. At any rate, the idea is that the preschool and the community are in a relationship. The school is not seen as something apart from the everyday life of the community.

If this bond between school and community is important to the health and well-being of children’s education, then we might say that a similar connection should be part of each level education. And, if it’s important for each level of education, then it should be beneficial for each domain within education. Therefore, let us assume that a strong connection between music education and community is the ideal. The question we are left with is how might we accomplish this?

It’s easy to say “do this” and you will succeed; that mindset is folly. There are no silver bullets. Each community, each neighborhood, each school has its own unique social-cultural values. For example, a small community in the “bible belt” may not object to a musical celebration that combines the musical forces of local churches with those from the local schools. In another part of the country it might be that there is a strong tradition of Celtic music. Regardless of where we live and where we work and make music there are local communities of active participants in music that could enhance our students experiences by witnessing live music made by members of the local community.

In her book “How Popular Musicians Learn,” Lucy Green contends that making music once occupied a larger place in our society and that with a change of thinking and pedagogy, it can resume its place as a family and communal activity that all can enjoy. The question, then, is how might we change our thinking and pedagogy so that Green’s vision becomes a reality?

"Fairbanks is a Musical Oasis."

Shopping at Kroger the other day I ran into a colleague from work and we began to chat about my trip home to Fairbanks Alaska. I recounted my experiences with listening to the local youth symphony and stated that it was technically as good as our college orchestra. My friend made a comment that stuck with me. He said, “Fairbanks is a musical oasis.”

• Let me give you some background on music in this part of the world. In Deep East Texas, if music isn't part of Friday night football, it's not supported. Therefore, choral programs struggle to maintain their place and orchestras are non-existent. An orchestra of any size is a rare and precious thing. One of the things that we struggle with at my university is to gradually influence the musical culture of East Texas.

Centrally located in Alaska, Fairbanks is 350 miles from Anchorage, pop 250,000, which has the size and money to support a vibrant fine arts community. And yet, Fairbanks, geographically isolated as it is, somehow manages to sustain a culture wherein the fine arts flourish. Some suggest that because this mid-sized city is miles from nowhere, that people must create and recreate art for themselves. While this may have been the case decades ago, with the ubiquity of the Internet and multimedia location should not hinder anyone from benefiting and enjoying any of the arts, including music.

Music and the other arts are alive in Fairbanks, more so than in other cities its size. So my question is why? Why does music continue to play such a strong role in Fairbanks when it seems to languish elsewhere? Is it the local culture? Lucy Green asserts that culture and society influence music making. Is it possible to suggest that because of its location and the pluck of the pioneer spirit (yes, I realize this is a bit cliché) exhibited by most everyone in the Golden Heart of Alaska that music has evolved its way into its cultural identity?

It seems that I may need to apply for sabbatical leave.