TITLE:
An Experiential Learning of a Philosophy of Music Education Inspired by the Work of Canadian Composer R. Murray Schafer
AUTHORS:
Helene Boucher, Tobias Moisey
KEYWORDS:
Music Education, Philosophy of Music Education, Schafer, Soundscapes, Pre-Service Teachers
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
11,
2019
ABSTRACT:
Experiential learning is an educational approach that has been associated
with different fields including music education, but rarely with philosophy. Our project consisted of a philosophical experience in
action using the work of the Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer. In his
Soundscape concept, all sounds in an environment become part of the music that
surrounds us. Pre-service student teachers were
introduced to his philosophy of music education through experiential learning
rather than through a traditional lecture. Additionally, we followed three of
them as they taught grades 3, 9 and 11. Our goal was to see to what extent experiential learning of philosophy could be an
appropriate pedagogical tool in higher education. Our research question was:
How can student-teachers construct their own understanding of a philosophy of
music education after having experienced it from the perspective of a student
and of a teacher? The following data were examined through collaborative
thematic analysis of 1) an open question, 2) their own music composition following Shafer’s guidelines, and 3) their experience of teaching the children.
Participants were able to explain in their own words the main components of
Shafer’s view on music education, they described how they could use this vision
in their own teaching and they identified specific outcomes (creativity,
freedom, motivation and critical thinking) from using this approach. The
conclusion was drawn that the experiential learning framework can be an
appropriate tool for instructing topics that have traditionally been seen as purely theoretical.