MayDay
May 2nd, 2008 by vincebates
Happy MayDay! I was just thinking of the MayDay Group today. For anyone reading this, it’s a group of/for critical theorists in music education. I learned about the group from my mentor, the late Steve Paul, during my doctoral studies at the University of Arizona. I have since chatted with a number of the group members and founders on the MayDay website and have attended two MayDay conferences (Vancouver and Princeton). I have met some wonderful people through this group and have learned a lot. I encourage anyone reading this to check out the website link to the group. In my mind, we really are involved in a “labor of love”–pointing out how formal music education might become more responsive to the needs of people. I had a conversation with a prominent researcher in music education a while back who said that the MayDay Group really doesn’t contribute anything–that it’s all just a bunch of talk. From my perspective and in my experience as a music teacher, all the so-called research in the world about what works best in teaching and learning music doesn’t amount to a “hill of beans” if what works best has no real connection to human needs. That’s where critical theory comes in; it points out practices of discrimination and exploitation. It’s a labor of love on behalf of and in fellowship with the oppressed. Seriously, check out the MayDay website; I think you will find it valuable.
“Just a bunch of talk”? Blah. I like reading on the MayDay site. I think discourse is the best way to share and maintain good ideas. By the way, I just read your article from the ACT journal on a nurturant ethic for music education and really enjoyed it. Thanks!