Routledge Focus on Music Education: Culturally Responsive Teaching – serie

Culturally Responsive Teaching in a High School Percussion Ensemble: Validating Immigrant Identities addresses themes of immigration, identity, and culturally responsive teaching in music education using a deep case study of Brazilian samba music in the context of a high school percussion ensemble.Through an in-depth ethnographic study of the World Percussion Ensemble at Somerville High School, Massachusetts, and how it was renovated by a progressive music program director, the author demonstrates how a program can respond to the cultures and needs of immigrant students by creating a unique intercultural community within the classroom. The book recognizes key components in the process of immigrant social integration: (1) music education can help facilitate immigrant students’ adjustment to a new culture as they negotiate a hybrid identity. (2) The inclusive nature of samba percussion music encourages communication, cooperation, and empathy, helping students to build life skills. (3) By blending rhythms from their countries of origin with a pop song of choice for their final composition, the students create their own interculture.Deriving from culturally responsive music teaching practices, this study will inspire music teachers and music education researchers to transfer some of the methods to center students’ languages, identities, and cultural references in their curricula.

Culturally Responsive Choral Music Education visits the classrooms of three ethnically diverse choral teacher-conductors to highlight specific examples of ways that culturally responsive teaching (CRT) can enrich choral music education.Principles of CRT are illustrated in contrasting demographic contexts: a choir serving a sizeable immigrant Hispanic population, a choir with an African American classroom majority, and a choir comprised of students who identify with eighteen distinct ethnicities. Additionally, portraits of nine ethnically diverse students illuminate how CRT shaped their experiences as members of these choral ensembles. Practical recommendations are offered for developing a culturally responsive classroom environment.