Burton Townsend: Engaging Musical Practices

Burton, S. L., & Townsend, R. D. (2015). Shaping readiness for instrumental music. In S. L. Burton & A. H. Snell II (Eds.), Engaging musical practices: A sourcebook for instrumental music (3-23). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. 

This chapter focuses on the three readiness competencies; musical sensitivity, theoretical competence, and extramusical experience. Musical sensitivity is the relationship and individual expression a student has to music. An example of this might be how someone moves (dances/sways) while listening to music.  Theoretical Competence issuing able to recognize and evaluate what the music is doing. Aural skills, and being able to visually recognize cadences/phrases/dynamics are some examples of this skill. Extramusical experience includes all of the other elements that aren't strictly music that you get from music.  Some examples include history, math, and science.  This chapter goes on to show examples of how these competencies work throughout a students academic career.  Something that I really enjoyed reading was the accessibility of musical sensitivity in younger students.  I was always told to constrain my physical relationship with music so that I wouldn't stand out.  I agree that the more we allow and encourage students to appreciate the many musical elements, the deeper the connection they can foster with music.  One idea I have issue with is the idea of extramusical experience.  The reason I take issue with this competency is that in my opinion it takes away from music being important for being music.  If we place emphasis on music being important for teaching history and basic mathematical skills then we are saying that math and history are more important than music and the only reason music is important is to add to competency in those areas. I am curious to see how these three competencies play out in informal musicking.  In terms of theoretical competency, why is it important to understand the theory or more complex sides of music? Can these be overthought?