General Music: Dimensions of Practice is a practical guide for music teachers and teaching artists who strive to teach music holistically. The book begins by framing general music as a holistic music education that is comprehensive, meaningful, and relevant to diverse learners in school and community settings. It is followed by chapters that are organized into one of four dimensions of music practice: performing, connecting, creating, and responding. Chapter authors share creative and innovative teaching ideas, for both elementary and secondary school students, that focus on a wide range of topics, including: songwriting, composing, improvising, singing, moving, playing, listening, analyzing, contextualizing, and connecting. Each chapter provides (a) a rationale for a given area of music study, establishing its importance and relevance; (b) a research or theoretical background, to inform and guide practice; and (c) a pedagogical model or framework illustrated through lesson ideas, curriculum units, or vignettes. The ideas in this book seek to inspire and guide teachers as they build comprehensive music programs that are informed by students and communities.
Carlos R. Abril is Professor of Music and Associate Dean at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he teaches courses in equity, access, and diversity in music education, philosophy of music education, and general music methods. His body of research seeks to document visible and invisible barriers to the study of music in schools, as well as to illuminate ways to make the study of music more relevant and accessible. Abril's work is published in numerous research and professional journals, as well as in books. He co-edited the books Teaching General Music: Approaches, Issues, and Viewpoints and Musical Experiences in Our Lives: Lessons We Learn and Meanings We Make and has published music and instructional materials for World Music Press and McGraw-Hill's Spotlight on Music. Abril is the chair of the Society for Research in Music Education and has served on the Research Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts. He was recently honored with the Phillip Frost Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship.
Brent M. Gault is Professor of Music Education and Interim Chair of the Music Education Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has taught elementary and early childhood music courses in Texas, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. He specializes in elementary general music education, early childhood music education, and Kodály-inspired methodology. He also has training in both the Orff and Dalcroze approaches to music education. Gault has presented sessions and research at conferences of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Dalcroze Society of America, International Kodály Society, International Society for Music Education, Organization of American Kodály Educators, and National Association for Music Education. In addition, he has served as a presenter and guest lecturer for colleges and music education organizations in the United States, Canada, China, Ireland, and Singapore. He is the co-editor of
Teaching General Music: Approaches, Issues, and Viewpoints and author of
Listen Up! Fostering Musicianship Through Active Listening.
