Erika N.

Hartman
MUE 6080

Historical Timeline of Music Education

Date Person/Organization/Event Description

570-490 B.C. Pythagoras Experimented with math
ratios in regards for
musical intervals which
lead to the basis of
tuning systems, and later
equal temperament.
(Hodges, 2017)

427-347 B.C. Plato Believed children should

learn music to prepare
them to be optimal
citizens of the
community. (Mark,
2002)
Believed music was
important because of the
rational ideas of how it
connected to math and
the cosmos, rather than
emotional side of it.
Believed that music
could “balance the soul”
or conversely spark
immorality based on the
harmonies performed.
(Hodges, 2017)

384 – 322 B.C. Aristotle Advocated that children

should learn music for
enjoyment and that
music should be a part
of their education.
(Hodges, 2017)
475-525 Boethius Was a music theorist
who wrote De
Institutione Musica, a
significant work relating
to music’s connections
to math and the
universe, that was
studied in the
quadrivium until the
1800’s. (Mark, 2002)

878-942 St. Odo of Cluny Created the letter system

to denote pitch in music.
(Mark, 2002)

990-1050 Guido D’Arezzo Was considered the most

influential music teacher
in this time period. Was
largely responsible for
developing and teaching
music notation. He
taught using solfege
syllables and a 4-line
staff which later
established into the
systems that we use
today.
 (Mark, 2002)
1483-1546 Martin Luther Created schools that
contained vocal and
instrumental music
within the courses.
(Mark, 2002).

1592-1670 John Amos Comeius of Bohmeia Wrote The Great

Didactic which
explained how and when
different aspects of
music should be taught
at certain ages. (Mark,
2002).

1689-1750 Reverend John Tufts Wrote a textbook to help

people to learn music
the “Regular Way” of
learning music regarding
reading notation.
Developed the Singing
School. Created a new
system of his own to
teach notation including
fasola singing and note
punctuation. (Mark,
2002)

1721 The Grounds and Rules of Music A book written by

Explained or An Introduction to the Reverend Thomas
Art of Singing by Note Walter to describe the
“Regular Way” of
learning music. Used
more traditional
notation, rather than
Tufts’ system. (Mark,
2002).
1722-1800’s The Singing School Movement Was established to help
communities learn to
read music and sight-
sing. Eventually was
integrated into the public
school as a curricular
subject. (Mark, 2002)

1746-1800 William Billings Wrote psalms, patriotic

music, including
“Chester” and other
songs. Wrote “Rules for
Regulating a Singing-
School” to address
conduct and discipline in
musical ensembles.
(Mark, 2002).

1792-1892 Lowell Mason Wrote Boston Handel

and Haydn Society’s
Collection of Church
Music which integrated
musical instruction into
practiced selections and
contained instructional
guidance for the music
teacher. (Mark, 2002)
 References

Hodges D. A. (2017). A concise survey of music philosophy. Routledge.

Mark, M. L. (2008). A concise history of American music education. Lanham, Md.:

Rowman & Littlefield Education.