Episode 88: Music is Inherently Raceless with Theron Jenkins

Choralosophy

Episode 88: Theron Jenkins

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When discussing how music and education intersects with race, gender and culture, I find that we are often pretty quick to apply reductionist labels to the idea or concept. For example, phrases I have come across too often include “That’s a boy’s song,” or “Choral Music is an inherently white art form,” or “sight reading is a European value in Music Education.”

If we label these things based on their past origins, are we sending unintentional signals to students about who is welcome NOW?

Now, it’s possible I spend too much time reading through comment threads in Facebook groups, but it raises the issue of the unintended consequences for students and educators when they see or hear such blatant essentialism, though often well intended. In the latest addition to my Choral Music: A Human Art Form thread, Theron Jenkins and I discuss this issue in hopes of bringing some alternative discourses to light for the purpose of making choral music more accessible and inviting to people from every background. After all, Choral Music does not inherently have a race, nor is group singing European. Music is INHERENTLY human. From all to all.

• Literacy has value that transcends culture, and does not replace culture
• Removing standards for honor choirs doesn’t help students
• A well rounded music education can’t achieve all things for all people. Teachers must pick and choose with finite resources.
• Representation matters!

Episode 88 audio