Synopses & Reviews
This book explores the meaning and value of music in children's lives, based upon their expressed thoughts and actual "musicking" behaviors in school and at play. Blending standard education field experiences with ethnomusicological techniques, Patricia Campbell demonstrates how music is personally and socially meaningful to children and what values they place on particular musical styles, songs, and functions. She explores musical behaviors in various contextual settings, and presents in notated narrative forms some of the "songs in their heads," balancing music learned with music "made," and intentional, purposeful music with natural music behavior.
Songs in Their Heads is a vivid and engaging book that bridges the disciplines of music education, ethnomusicology, and folklore. Designed as a text or supplemental text in a variety of music education method courses, as well as a reference for music specialists and classroom teachers, this book will also appeal to parents interested in understanding and enhancing music making in their own children.
Review
"This wonderful book offers revealing insights into the way children think about music, the way music is taught in schools, and significant ways music education could be improved. Don't let the skillful presentation and engrossing narrative style fool you: this is a very important book."--Anthony Seeger, Curator, Smithsonian Institution
"This book is a genuine revelation and the foundation for a revolution in music education because it tells us what children are doing with music and lets us hear their voices describing the power of music in their lives. Patricia Campbell observes closely, listens carefully, and explains patiently that all young children are full of musicking skills, very music-minded, and full of wisdom about what they need from us to become fully realized musicians, if only we would listen."--Charles Keil, President of Musicians United for Superior Education, Inc.
"Songs in their Heads is an interesting examination of music and its role in the life of a child."--Kimberly Golder, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
"I literally could not put this book down. I am very excited to add this as required text for my graduate music methods class."--Madeline S. Bridges, Belmont University
Review
"This wonderful book offers revealing insights into the way children think about music, the way music is taught in schools, and significant ways music education could be improved. Don't let the skillful presentation and engrossing narrative style fool you: this is a very important book."--Anthony
Seeger, Curator, Smithsonian Institution
"This book is a genuine revelation and the foundation for a revolution in music education because it tells us what children are doing with music and lets us hear their voices describing the power of music in their lives. Patricia Campbell observes closely, listens carefully, and explains patiently
that all young children are full of musicking skills, very music-minded, and full of wisdom about what they need from us to become fully realized musicians, if only we would listen."--Charles Keil, President of Musicians United for Superior Education, Inc.
"Songs in their Heads is an interesting examination of music and its role in the life of a child."--Kimberly Golder, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
"I literally could not put this book down. I am very excited to add this as required text for my graduate music methods class."--Madeline S. Bridges, Belmont University
About the Author
Patricia Shehan Campbell is the author of numerous books on music for children, a teacher, and an active musician. Her training in education and ethnomusicology has led her to the development of curricula in music and cultural studies, and has helped shape her unique approach to understanding children and their musical capacities. In addition to her post of Professor of Music at the University of Washington, she has lectured on world music education and children's musical involvement throughout the United States, in much of Europe and Asia, and in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Musical Children
Part I. In Music: Children at Musical Play
Narrative Tales
The Tales
Reflections
Part II. On Music: Conversations with Children
A Flexible System
The Conversations
Reflections
Part III. For Children: Prospects for Their Musical Education
Who They Musically Are
All That They Can Musically Be
Musical Mosaics
Afterword
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Notes
References