Songbooks: The Literature of American Popular Music

Abstract

education “might, or might not, attend to the existential, the ideological, or the spiritual in offering learners holistic critical engagements with music” (6). Some music educators believe that music is not just something that you do but part of who you are, so teaching and learning music should therefore incorporate their students’ own principles, values, and knowledge, as well as those of the larger society. The fourth part, “Emancipation, Religion, and Social Order,” consists of three chapters and continues the complex discussions of music, morality, and teaching. Education and music are always at the forefront of change because both are willing to push the boundaries of uncertainty while also staying within the lines of conventionality. Music teachers and students who work together in the learning process create an environment of trust and a greater connection to a world of understanding. Music, however, cannot be construed distinctly from one’s religious or spiritual beliefs. Music helps shape religious observances and spiritual experiences, and religious scriptures and texts find new life through music as it connects and engages emotions. The fifth and final part, “Agency and Social Change,” consists of four chapters and focuses on the process by which music and religion can foster a sense of community and cultivate connections. Embracing religion and spirituality into music education or music lessons helps students develop the capability of seeing beyond themselves, becoming more than they are and more than what they see, and experiencing the awe and wonder that surrounds them. The beneficial effects of music, education, and religion are only strengthened by their combination. The text ends with a standalone chapter written by Kallio that responds to the previous chapters, invites readers to continue the work begun in this volume, and provides some ideas for future theoretical and practical work. This book is the first devoted to “the intersection of music, education, and religion in decades” (10) and would make an excellent addition to any university library serving researchers in this area.