The Harmonious Alignment of Musical Relevance, Pedagogical Flexibility, and Capitalism: A Philosophical Examination

• In Event: Perspectives in Music Education

Abstract

Contemporary capitalist practices contributed to worker exploitation and the hollowing out of democratic governance on a global scale. While music educators have convincingly problematized irrelevant and inflexible music education practices, they have not interrogated the potential limits of valuing relevance and flexibility. The purpose of this philosophical inquiry is to consider what the possible alignment between musical relevance, pedagogical flexibility, and capitalist ideals might reveal about the limits of valuing these aims. Calls for relevance in music education align with three central aspects of capitalism: centering youth culture, unrestrained consumption, and holding individuals’ attention. Calls for pedagogical flexibility align with the temporary, precarious, and unorganized laborers key to contemporary capitalist societies. Ugly feelings may prompt resistance to capitalist to exploitation.

Author

• Lauren Kapalka Richerme, Indiana University - Bloomington