Investigating the Incorporation of "Non-Western" Repertoire in Wisconsin Secondary Music Programs : Collaborative Research Project

Abstract

Promoting multicultural education is how many schools in the United States are encouraging global awareness and creating equitable environments for all students. Today, it is vital that classroom music is relevant to all students. In music classrooms, many teachers utilize “Non-Western” music to teach both concepts and the cultures from which the music originates. “Non-Western” music is music depicting or originating from cultures that do not belong to dominant western societies. This project’s two research questions were, “What “Non‐Western” repertoire are Wisconsin band, choral, and orchestra directors currently programming in their grade six to twelve classrooms?” and, “What criteria do Wisconsin secondary music educators consider when selecting “Non‐Western” pieces to teach their students?” Though efforts to integrate multiculturalism into curricula have been in place since the early twentieth century, Western music is still considered to be the standard among the majority of repertoire.