Why theory teachers disagree

One of the things we have finally come to realize is that the fact that a great unified theory of music theory will probably never exist. We have for many years had an online music theory sequence that we taught successfully. Although all the other classes we have developed online seem acceptable to teachers across the nation with only minor personal changes the theory sequence is not so readily accepted. We think this may be for a variety of reasons. Composers are pretty independently secure in their own view of how theory should be taught. In fact, we have met very few theory teachers that do not believe they alone know how theory should be taught. As a result developing a general course of study is close to impossible.

Upon reflection, there seems to be three types of music teacher groups. History and literature teachers value the evolutionary development of music and use theory as a way to develop a method for musical criticism. Composers focus on the mechanisms of theory that support the creation of new musical material. Performers see theory as a tool for performance practice.

These three views of musical study lead to different needs theoretically. Composers might need a study of historical musical practice, even those no longer practiced, e.g. modal counterpoint. History and literature programs value the compositional practice of notable historical periods, e.g. impressionism, expressionism, etc. Performance programs need theory to underpin contemporary musical and stylistic practice, e.g. jazz theory, rock theory, etc.

The theory program of a college seems to develop a theory program that matches the dominant view of musical practice as defined by which of these three musical world views they might hold most dear. Of course there are also hybridization among these world views that would require even more varied theory programs.

For this reason we have decided that a model online theory class is not practical. It may be impossible to develop a class that serves the need of all without being unreasonably overloaded for students. We have found that it is more practical to offer only the tools to build a class somewhere along the continuum of musical world views rather than a fully developed course ready for adoption. It actually comes down to unique class development to match unique personal needs valued by individual instructors. Courses need to be created one at a time to meet the unique needs of each music program.

To do otherwise is spitting in the wind. The fact that there is no great unified theory of music theory may mean music theory is too insulated institutionally to be unified or, inversely, that music theory itself is too robust and complex an abstraction to be reduced to a generalized expression.

This ambiguity is why I love the study of music and perhaps why music might scare those who need specific academic answers.

Dave

Health Care

With all the hoopla about insurance reform I wonder how we lost sight of HealthCare.

I don't care about people having insurance as much as I wish that everyone had health care. Insurance just means there is a for profit entity that wants to pull profit from those that need health care.

Single payer buts all this aside. The argument on this last bill was to kill health care and re-establish an insurance based system.

A sad day. But it is something that can now be modified and amended -- hopefully, toward a public option.

Don

Stength of Opinion

I have an opinion, in fact, everyone I know has an opinion. The question is "What is the value of anyone's opinion?" Well mine is important and everyone else -- well, not really.

Let's take the argument of redistribution of the wealth.

My opinion -- it is time to redistribute the wealth to the middle and lower social economic groups.

Their opinion -- Let's keep the status quo -- keep the redistribution of wealth moving to the wealthy.

There, that makes sense.

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How about health care.

Their opinion -- we have the greatest health care in the world.

My opinion -- the greatest health care in the world can always be purchased by the wealthy. However, those without health care cannot argue this position.

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Their opinion -- status quo. Let the "stupid poor people" go out and get a job and compete.

My Opinion -- The sick and poor are our responsibility. We are blessed with intellect and opportunity. We need to care for those with neither.

It goes on and on. We are all citizens of this great country. Those with wealth are where they are because of this country's dedication to democracy and capitalism. It takes a great government to "share the wealth".

I hate taxes, but I love taxes. Can you go there with me?

Don

Music Programs Becoming a Thing of the Past

I did the juggling act growing up. The math, English, foreign language, honor roll, the whole bit. Then I came home, did homework, and went to the theatre, piano or voice lessons, or dance class. Then it was home for more homework, sometimes until very late. I did the zero, early and extra period so I could fit in all my college prep. classes and do choir.

I was lucky enough to have supportive parents who told me that they understood that my involvement in the arts meant that my academic grades would not be as high as if I solely focused on school. They supported my involvement in the arts and my passion for music. Yet, they told me that if my grades dropped below a certain point I would have to put the arts on hold to get my grades back up. I never had to quit.

Here I am at the age of 35, with a BA. in music, and after a 9 year Montessori teaching career. Music was put on the back burner so I could teach and make money for the mortgage. I am a firm believer in Montessori and I had a good career working with some wonderful children. Four months ago I quit my job to move out of state for my husband's new job. I'm not bringing in the money right now, but I'm happier doing what I'm doing than I have been in years! I'm in two choirs, giving private voice lessons, composing, and taking violin lessons. I'm spending the hours practicing that I never had the time or energy to do while teaching.

Why is it that music and the arts are thought of as extra and superfluous? You don't see a math major having to spend the same hours on music as I did on math, do you? This is a firm testament to Montessori elementary's Cosmic Education! The Montessori elementary program is focused on giving the child the universe, a little bit of everything. Everything is connected. There's history, language, and math involved in music. In their investigation, they are going to make discoveries that cross the boundaries of every "subject."

Now more and more school districts are eliminating their music and other arts programs. This is so extremely upsetting! It's thought of as unnecessary and belittling to those of us who spend our time and work hard doing music.

Common Ground

Needless to say I'm done with the partisan approach to settling our problems. It is truly hard to find voices on either side that can keep their cool long enough to thoughtfully present their own arguments. So I would like to find a new center for dialog that includes both views that can be appreciated from both sides. I'm not talking about the wimpy center of independents who are more political weather vanes than independent thinkers but voices of reason and tolerance.

So I offer some voices to include in this new pantheon. On the right (I am obviously on the left so I'm on shaky ground here) I would offer David Brooks. I disagree with some of his conservative stands but see him as a man of reason who can support good solutions on either side of the partisan divide. On the left I suggest Tom Hartman from Portland. He is an Air America DJ and I think presents a fair and receptive argument. I would love to see these two lead the new dialog of the center.

This new dialog should not consider any of the loony comments from the extremes. I can list a lot of those I think are loony rights but I'll have to listen to the new center voices who the loony left is that we should exclude (they all seem reasonable to me). I hope others will suggest voices for this new common center ground. If we can amplify their dialog maybe we can get somewhere.

Dave

The new "Orchestra"

Recently, on a cruise of the Caribbean I asked a fellow passenger what we should expect from the entertainment when those my generation and younger dominated the passenger list. His response? -- This music is timeless and will always be a part of sophisticated entertainment. I was listening to tired old standards played by musicians who did not love them.

Well, I just went to the Trans Siberian Ochestra concert. It was loud with massive lighting effects and video screens everywhere.

Yes, this is the new Orchestra. They played Beethoven with special lightening, video and fireworks.- massive visuals.

In ten years, the orchestra as we know it will require a rhythm section, full sound, and lighting. I find it exciting. I sat behind a white hair that was 15 years my senior. She was totally in it. There were over 10K+ in attendance at the concert. We can't get 75 people to attend our orchestra concerts at the college. There is some writing on the wall here.

There were hundreds of programmable lights. I could not get the college where I once taught to think owning one was of any importance.

Whew!!!!

Don

Such fun to see guitarists with long hair in tuxedos with the low hung phalic guitars. Perfect blond Barbies dancing in lacy black outfits. Violinists running and dancing around the stage while playing.

Wow! The new two party system

Can you believe the partisan conflict on almost all issues? The war(s), health care reform (not insurance reform), who should have money and who does not deserve to have money, etc. Don't tax me but give me government services (example: MediCare, clean streets, fire departments, police, etc).

Wow! what confusion.

I asked one of my conservative friends why they are so angry.

He responded "us -- angry?" because liberals are so angry.

"Really?" I questioned. "Why?"

"Because liberals only want what they want. They are selfish."

I was shocked. When liberals want services for those who have nothing does not meet this mantra.

It is obvious that both sides see the other side as angry. Where did this come from? I thought that a "liberal arts" education was to insure that tolerance was a necessary component in conflict resolution. I have not held a sign since college but none of them had demeaning symbols or pictures with name calling.

Shouldn't we discount the extremes and concentrate on the middle left and middle right? I think that the Blue Dog Democrates should now be the new right and the center of the Democratic party is the new left. Let's just ignore the far right and even the far left (however, that is where I live most of the time.)

So the new two party system should be this new alignment because they are not so reactionary and do not exhibit the anger the cable channels love to display.

Don