Grace Mayell

June 25, 2020

American Music History
Daily Reflection #2

It is, in a way, surprising how the opinions of those two centuries past in many ways

align with those of the current time. As chapter four of the Ferris text came to a close, I reflected

on the thoughts of everyday music making experience, homegrown/self-taught musicians,

Thomas Jefferson, early American musical theater, Francis Hopkinson and military

instrumentalists. These multiple purposes of instrumental and vocal music, all opinions aside,

contributed to shaping the Early American’s daily lifestyle, including family relationships,

overall societal contribution and shaping of society.

In many ways, music educators of the 21st century still struggle with the same questions,

or more or less opinions, of the role of music in society. I teach in DuPage County, Illinois where

quite a large percentage of the population can invest in high quality music training however few

decide to pursue music as a career. Personally, I feel it is my responsibility to educate and reveal

a diverse genre of music to this generation of students and their families. Although I am

enthusiastic to do everything possible to aid those pursuing music as a career, my primary

responsibility is to teach the music and provide well-rounded student support to the career

pathways that might be opened as a result of the students who are in my community.

Jean Ferris. America’s Musical Landscape. (8th edition, 2019). McGraw Hill.