Celebrating Music and All That It Can Teach Us
WHYY's National Music Education Initiative is created with two audiences in mind. First, it is intended as a resource for teachers in the development and presentation of research and content that highlights the contributions of the African American community - and all cultures - to the development of national and international musical styles. It also provides teachers with tools to present content that will meet local and national music education standards. Second, this program can assist families who wish to use the Internet as a resource for expanded home learning.

The content presented within this website aims to inform the teacher and/or parent on ways music has framed our world view. WHYY's PBS special, "Denyce Graves: Breaking The Rules" highlights the contributions of African Americans in the creation of music that has influenced and altered popular and classical music for our nation and the world. This content is found in the lesson: African American Music Touches All Parts of Life.

Music is a powerful artistic medium to lend hope to those who are suffering, and courage to those facing oppression. Illuminating content is presented in the lesson: In times of Suffering and Pain, African American Spirituals Gave Strength and Hope.

In this lesson, music is a vehicle with which one can develop critical-thinking skills--an integral tool for young minds navigating the fast paced media markets of our day. Developing critical thinking and media literacy skills is one desired outcome of this lesson.

Students need to understand that music, when added to a story, advertisement, etc., can alter the way content is perceived. While this is true in their understanding of a news story or political campaign ads, it is also true with the text of some music that young people listen to for entertainment. Removing the music from the text can alter the way we think about the content. This influential aspect of music is highlighted in the lesson entitled: Music Communicates Ideas and Emotions.

We hope that you find this information a complement to your educational needs and instructional goals and look forward to offering additional programs for home and classroom use.

If you have questions or comments about this site, please contact WHYY's Executive Director, Children's Service at spoglinco@whyy.org.

About our Music Education Specialist

Dr. Dennis Creedon, Administrator of the School District of Philadelphia's Office of Creative and Performing Arts, is a nationally recognized leader in the field of Arts in Education. Dr. Creedon, recipient of the 1992 Award for Excellence in Teaching by the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, regularly serves as a presenting speaker at local, state, and national conferences on integrative arts pedagogy, assessment theory, literacy issues, and teaching protocols for at-risk students.

Previously, Dr. Creedon was on special assignment at the Opera Company of Philadelphia where he served as Director of Education. In this position, Dr. Creedon developed the award-winning literacy-based Sounds of Learning program. In 1997, the Commonwealth Department of Education recognized Dr. Creedon's Sounds of Learning program as a Best Practice in Arts Integration.