Music education could be left out in an obsolete aural era if it does not keep up with the ‘technological advances’, a detailed report by music commission reveals. This”disconnect” possibly means that the existing teaching practices have become obsolete or outdated and hence technology can assist music from disappearing from schools, according to an article published in BBC .
Per an investigation carried out by Music Commission, a lot of music education does not signify how youngsters engage or relate to music. The commission that is led by some of the most prominent figures in contemporary music and has been established by the Arts Council England and the Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music, says technology is changing at a rapid pace and can support music education. From applications that enable users to compose music digitally on smartphones to videos that help you students in learning guitar, the prospects offered by technology for learning music, engaging users and composing music are countless.
The report further adds: “The current generation of music learners can explore any era or kind of music at any time. Technology allows them to access and to merge ‘music’s’ from any culture.” Technology has enabled youngsters to improve their musical skills together, access teachers virtually and challenge other music lovers through digital spaces.
The report further states new technologies provide more accessibility and allow inexpensive methods to make as well as share music. Technology should be the central plank of music education in the present times. Accessibility and immediacy of these technologies mean youngsters can adopt a much fluid approach, which will assist them in breaking the old barriers between different forms and types of music. The report also says music education should make sure every child is fully supported to continue as well as take their love for music further.
A report by the Musicians’ Union last year recommended that children from low socio-economic backgrounds are being priced out of learning musical equipment. Moreover, disadvantaged children were half as likely to take music lessons at school, the report found.
Commission Chairman Sir Nicholas Kenyon, who is also the managing director of the Barbican, admitted there were numerous pressures on schools in terms of meeting their academic targets. He said: “People of all ages now learn and enjoy a hugely diverse range of music in many ways – at home, in classrooms, in communities and online. However, we’re concerned that too much music education does not reflect the realities of how young people engage with music.”
