Renthungo Merry
The imperative for music education
The arts, especially music, have always played a vital role in the life of individuals as well as social communities throughout history. The Greek philosophers like Aristotle and Plato saw its importance in education and they discussed it in length and wrote on the subject in depth. In recent times there has been much talk about music’s impact on the intellectual development of students. This also seems to have become the most powerful tool of advocacy for music education. The widely held belief is that there is a strong correlation between the study of music and achievement in other academic studies such as math and science. Some of these are based on mere speculation while an overwhelming amount of these findings are backed up by reliable, empirical research.
The American Music Conference (2006) reports, “new data about music’s relationship to brainpower, wellness, and other phenomenon is changing the way we perceive mankind’s oldest art form, and it is having a real world effect on decisions about educational priorities.” An investigation by the International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement Test (1998) reported that countries which place a strong emphasis on music education like Hungary, Netherlands and Japan stand atop worldwide science achievements. Eric Jensen in his book “Arts With the Brain in Mind” (2001) states that Asian countries like Taiwan, Singapore and Japan rank among the top countries in the world in math and science scores. Music is a required, equal, major discipline in the curriculum of these countries. Jensen states that the arts (music) promote the development of valuable human neurobiological systems.
One significant finding was reported by the Royal Conservatory of Music who commissioned a longitudinal research in 1999 to study the effects of arts studies. The investigation involved 6675 students, as well as interviews with parents, teachers and school principals over a span of three years. The researchers reported that students who were involved in the school’s arts program scored significantly higher on mathematical tests, computation and estimation than students who were not in the program.
Arts-based magnet schools are established with an educational philosophy which strongly believes that the integration of academic and artistic training serves to educate the whole child. They believe that a highly motivating arts program enhances an effective learning environment. An overwhelming amount of evidence through research point consistently to one thing: students who are involved in school music programs or are actively engaged in music studies earn higher grades and score better on standardized tests.
While these impressive findings are definitely boosting the cause of music education, we must not forget one thing: the primary purpose of music transcends its subordinate role as a mere aid to achieve something as a result of involvement in it. Music education in our schools is imperative, but we must do so with a higher purpose in mind. Music is a wonderful means of human expression and communication. It is a vital human activity that is experienced in all cultures. Man is born with an innate propensity for artistic expression and appreciation. By nature human beings are inquisitive about things that transcend ordinary, everyday events which bring them to an experience that is higher than mundane, earthly existence. There is an inborn longing for a deeper meaning to life’s existence and the arts often become the means through which man seeks to express that need. We must also remember that music has a divinely ordained purpose. The great Baroque composer J.S. Bach stated that the sole purpose of music is to glorify God and for the enjoyment, and edification of others.
What can we teach our students about music and its powerful impact on individuals as well as society? We must teach them that music is God’s gift to mankind for our enjoyment and the edification of others, and that we find our deepest joy and fulfillment when it is used for His glory and His purpose. We must teach our students to differentiate between good music, which edifies the body, mind and spirit, and bad music that corrupts the individual and society. Aristotle believed that listening to the wrong kind of music resulted in negative character formation. Conversely, the right kind of music resulted in developing the right kind of person. A society that values and preserves good art invariably flourishes. Conversely, its abuse or negative treatment leads to social and moral decline. The Adolescence journal (1994, 29, 613-621) reports that teenagers who are involved in heavy metal and rap music have poorer grades, have more behavioral problems in schools, are more sexually active and are involve in drugs and alcohol. Discernment about musical styles is important. Allan Bloom in his book, “ The Closing of the American Mind” (1987) says that rock music has only one appeal, a barbaric appeal, to sexual desire undeveloped and untutored. He goes on to say that rock music ruins the imaginative power of the mind.
We must encourage musical creativity through activities such as musical performance, composition and conscientious study of musical instruments.
We have a very rich indigenous musical heritage that is unique in comparison to most world music cultures. This must be preserved and developed.
We must expose our students to the time tested music of the Classical composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart and Beethoven. The rich heritage we have of hymn singing must be preserved and encouraged. Hymns are profound not only in terms of musical excellence, but also in lyrical depth.
Nagas are known to be musically gifted. Missionaries and journalists who have researched and written about the Nagas attest to this fact. The root of our musicality may be traced back to our tonally inflected speech forms. We have the natural ability to understand musical concepts. Our aptitude for musical perception is high. However, these natural musical abilities must be developed. Today, a number of Nagas are pursuing music studies in various places. Patkai Christian College in Chumukedima-Setheikema continues to take the lead in providing quality music education under the supervision of qualified teachers. The college has, as one of its faculty member, Vivee Peseye, the first Naga to have earned a doctorate in music. The college has plans to offer degrees and train future church musicians. The gift of music maybe one of our greatest assets in making a positive impact on the world around us. May our music glorify Christ from whom are all things, and who alone is worthy of our praise.
THE NUMBING OF OUR MUSICAL SENSES
A biblical mandate for music and ministry
We live in a world culture that is becoming increasingly saturated by the practices and values of American pop culture. Its music has gotten a strong hold not only of the secular world but also of the church. It has become the ‘normal’ part of our daily lives and would be considered very unpopular or unwise for any rational mind to speak up against something that is nonetheless a detriment to individuals and society, and is gradually corroding what is holy, righteous and wholesome. The Word of God clearly tells us to examine all things carefully and to approve the things that are excellent. There are two things the Americans brought to the Nagas. The first is a blessing from God by way of the missionaries who brought to us the good news of salvation through Christ. On the negative side is the destructive influence of its wanton pop and rock music. Iran recently banned Western music from radio play and television stations (Greeley Tribune, December 20, 2005). The reason was for ‘indecency’ associated with Western music.
THE CASE FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC
Dan Lucarini, a former rock musician has written a very insightful book titled, “Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement” (2002, Evangelical Press). Lucarini was heavily involved in rock music before coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Later he became an influential worship leader. This book is a bold statement about his biblically based convictions regarding today’s Christian music. He states that the use of CCM in praise and worship is a man made phenomenon and should be exposed as such because it lacks a strong biblical foundation and ignores God’s instruction for acceptable worship. Believers need to examine the scriptures thoroughly and sincerely ask the Lord for musical discernment. Let us not throw away the treasure we have in the hymns. They are musically rich and doctrinally sound. Our worship music today seems to thrive on ‘feel-good’ emotional experiences and elusive ‘love’ rather than on the richness of sound biblical teachings. The Bible teaches repentance from sin, a life filled with the Holy Spirit, a life of obedience to Christ and a life of witness for Christ. A shallow musical diet will produce undernourished and unhealthy individuals. What are we feeding on? This is a call for Naga believers and musicians to carefully examine our musical convictions based on God’s transforming Word, and to approve a music ministry that is truly pleasing to the Lord. Can we afford to have it any other way when He has called us to a newness of life, a life with a higher calling, a life of holiness and a life that is separated from the influences of worldliness? He is worthy of our highest praise and worship.
A PERSONAL TESTIMONY
I have written this article, believing that the Lord would use it to encourage believers who desire to use music to for His glory and to point an unbelieving mind to the glorious gospel. I was deeply involved in pop and rock music since my high school days. The Lord graciously saved me out of that music and the lifestyle that goes with it. As a young believer, I began approving Christian rock music and was involved in it. I have since battled over the issue of music for many years and have sincerely sought the Lord’s guidance. Two things come to my mind: Either this issue is unimportant to the Lord and He allows freedom of choice, or Satan is blinding my eyes from the truth because it is vital in the life of believers who seeks to serve Him through music. Today, as I grow in the Lord and continually ask Him to open my eyes to see music as He sees it, He constantly reminds me to examine everything carefully and to approve music that is excellent in His eyes. Has He not admonished us to abstain from all appearances of evil and to approve the things that are excellent? Yes, that includes music, even so-called Christian music.
Article submitted by Renthungo Merry. Ren is working on his doctoral studies in music education at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. He can be reached for comments at renandtammie@yahoo.com.
