Music education in a multicultural society : a psycho-pedagogical perspective

Abstract

Multiculturalism is a policy of support for exchange among different groups of people to enrich all while respecting and preserving the integrity of each. South Africa comprises one of the most multi-ethnic, multiracial, multireligious and multicultural societies in the world. South Africa is a vast country of many peoples with many musics. Multicultural music can contribute to educational reform by providing equity and equality of learning experiences to all learners in a multicultural society. Music is not just an art to be practised within the education of a multicultural society. It is, in itself, a truly multicultural education. In the study of music education, the culture and nature of a people must be understood. There must be opportunities for all to be immersed in the music of other indigenous cultural groups and of world cultures. Music activity is not an isolated activity within a culture; music education as culture is the concept. Children have developmental levels and specific needs in different stages. This learning and becoming child experience music as a group of processes that reflect in sound what is happening in life. There is a difference in the development and behaviour between children of various cultures. Each child has special needs to become self-actualized. Multicultural music education attempts to meet these needs. In this thesis a curriculum model for multicultural music education is proposed. A common elements approach used in a spiral of musical and human development and based on the sound approach is used to expand awareness of fundamental elements of music to include all types of music of all people. This approach would lead to better understanding of other peoples and cultures. Based on these findings, guidelines and recommendations for multicultural music education are provided.