Zoltan Kodály's Philosophy And Philosophy Of Music Education

Philosophies of teaching have been influenced by myriad beliefs about the purposes and aims of education. Plato and Socrates are one of the earliest philosophers to lay down the foundation of education’s purpose. Plato believed in the need of the individual and focused on what they are naturally attracted to learning to. Socrates believed in the need of the state and the individual together. Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Dewey are somewhat modern philosophers whom have also expressed their views about the purposes and aims of education. It wasn’t until the 1920’s when prominent Hungarian composer and musician Zoltán Kodály fully established his influential endeavors to music education. By 1929, he was determined to “reform the teaching of

However, good teaching comes from passionate and dedicated teachers. Educationalists such as Kodály, Bruner, and Noddings, were passionate about education and understood the value of personalized learning. Since music education is my passion and my field, it is without a doubt essential to focus on Zoltán Kodály and his impact on music education. Born in Hungary in 1882, Kodály grew up very musical by singing in his church choir and composing songs at a young age. After graduating from Budapest University he became a music theory and composition teacher at the Budapest Academy of Music (Jeter). Though Kodály’s ideas are founded in Hungary, his ideas connected globally with other methods. There is no doubt that music is valuable all around the

The education system in China is very different than the U.S. China withholds a higher academic standard than the U.S. For example, China’s national standards in math, require students to learn 10 specific topics in grades 1-3, in areas such as numbers, operations, and geometry. Similar requirements are in place at upper-grade levels, too (Cavanagh). Children are feeling immense academic pressure at a young age in a society that does not tolerate failure. It was a little difficult to fully comprehend the education system in China. In the states, it is unheard of to leave a child behind if they are having trouble understanding a lesson or subject. In the U.S., there are tutors, after school programs, and plenty of extra aid. In China, however, the children are being abused, studying excruciatingly, and left at the back of the classroom if they are behind academically. At the after school we were aiding, my team and I decided to use music to our advantage. Music was a great outlet for these kids. It was amazing that even with a language barrier, the children could catch on to a melody and eventually the English words. We even translated some children’s Bible songs into Mandarin. The children enjoyed it so much they wanted to sing and share their songs with us. It was an incredibly joyous moment shared through the art of music. I realized