The Origins and Foundations of Music Education

An invaluable tool for the researcher offering insight on historical developments, most obviously, but also on philosophical questions of the nature and purpose of music education, and political and sociological debate about the wider social contexts of institutional learning … [It] makes a real contribution to increasing international understanding of what it means to teach and learn music. -- British Journal of Music Education (of the First Edition)
Cox and Stevens have produced a powerful and well-timed publication. The editors and contributors should be congratulated on their fine achievement, and on presenting an invaluable gift to the music education community -- Research Studies in Music Education (of the First Edition)
This publication demonstrates the international strength of the music education community ... This book will prove to be an invaluable contribution to music education for the future. -- Music Education Research (of the First Edition)
In an increasingly globalising educational world, the need has never been greater for a book such as this. As Cox and Stevens assert in the introductory chapter of this work, historians of music education, and one might add, many others working in and studying music education, have perhaps had a tendency to be somewhat nationally limited in their outlook. This expanded and updated second edition of the book widens its geographical coverage and allows the reader to perceive even clearer inter-national patterns and their exceptions in music education. It therefore permits much broader sociological, political and philosophical discussions of the roles, modes, and values of music in schools on our planet than ever before. It will be an invaluable resource for all who have an interest in music from any perspective, and indeed for anyone wishing to increase their knowledge of the development of education per se around the globe. * Ruth Wright, Assistant Professor and former Chair of the Department of Music Education, Western University, Canada *
This unique and expanded collection of chapters offers fascinating international insights into compulsory music education. Little else exists like it when providing an understanding of the history that underpins global music education in the 21st century. Furthermore, the book provides the tools for music educators to develop an enlightened and informed analysis of the place of music in the compulsory curriculum, based on the complex relationship of the field with the history, society and politics. Finally, Cox and Stevens have skilfully crafted a new conclusion for this second edition, drawing out the key themes which pervade a diverse set of chapters. * Chris Philpott, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Reader in Music Education, Faculty of Education and Health, University of Greenwich, UK *
The Origins and Foundations of Music Education: International Perspectives (2017) is a provocative introduction to the parallel histories of music education in 18 nations and a valuable resource for scholars, students, and teachers wishing to gain an internationally informed perspective on music education in compulsory schooling. This well-grounded text should inform ongoing discussions about the effects of globalization on music education as a field of practice. * CAML Review *