Shand, Patricia. “Global Perspectives on Music Education.” Canadian Music Educator, Vol. 49, No. 3 (Spring 2008), page 14

Keywords

music education

Canadian music education

music educators

Canadian music educators

International Society for Music Education (ISME)

Canadian Music Educators’ Association (CMEA)

global music education

global perspectives on music education

Eric Favaro

Allan Anderson

Summary

Shand presents the comments of two ISME Conference participants who are looking forward to the 2008 conference in Bologna. Allen Anderson and Eric Favaro point out the many advantages the conference offers to educators: networking, global perspectives, concerts, and travel-adventure.

Global Perspectives on Music Education

Patricia Shand

Reproduced with the permission of CMEA/Acme.

Since ISME’s establishment in 1953, Canadian music educators have been involved with the Society in a variety of roles – serving in leadership positions on the ISME board and

on ISME commissions, attending and presenting at ISME conferences and commission seminars, serving on ISME committees, and reading and contributing to ISME publications. There are currently well over 400 Canadian ISME individual members, and CMEA is the ISME National Affiliate (INA) for Canada.

I recently invited two CMEA board members to contribute their thoughts on ISME and the forthcoming conference in Bologna. Eric Favaro provided the following comments:

“If you want a global perspective on music education, the place to be July 20–25 is Bologna, Italy, where organizers are busy preparing for this year’s ISME conference, Music at all Ages. When I reflect on my career over the years, certainly the highlights for me centered around attendance at conferences, networking with colleagues, and learning about innovative ideas that truly impacted my teaching. I first began attending ISME conferences in Seoul, South Korea, in 1992 as president of NSMEA. I still remember the excitement, not only with meeting new people, but with the sessions and concerts by some of the top performing groups in the world. Since that year I have been a member of the Society and I have attended ISME conferences in Amsterdam, Pretoria, Edmonton, Bergen, and Tenerife. Through its network of international music educators, the publications, and its biennial conferences, membership in ISME truly does provide an excellent opportunity to become more aware of music education, cultures and musics from around the world. This year’s conference in Bologna in July promises to be a week filled with exceptional performances, discussions on innovative ideas in music education, and opportunities to make new friends in both formal and informal sessions. Spero di incontraria in Bologna in luglio.”

While Eric Favaro has had a long history of involvement with ISME, Allan Anderson is looking forward to attending his first ISME conference. As past president of CMEA, he is currently serving as the official Canadian INA representative. Here are Allan’s comments:

“This summer ISME will be holding its biennial international conference in Italy. For those of you who have attended in the past, you already know that this is very

special gathering of some of world’s finest music education scholars and musicians. I know that several of you have applied to present papers or workshops at this year’s conference and are just waiting to hear if you have been accepted. For those who have never attended, this is a perfect opportunity for you expand your horizons in a country rich with history, culture, and of course exceptional food and beverages. I hope you will also attend the meeting of Canadian delegates that I will be facilitating during the conference.

The conference has been divided into strands that include:

i) Teaching, Learning, and Enculturation

ii)Instrumental and Vocal Teaching and Learning

iii)Musical Competencies

iv)Musical Development

v)Sociology, History, and Philosophy

vi)Policy and Advocacy

vii)New Media and Technology

viii) Therapy, Medicine, and Special Education

Many of you have access to Major Conference funding. Do some investigating. The Early Bird registration is due by March 15th and is well worth considering since it will save you about $200 Canadian from the full price after May 15th.

Some of you, like me, may wish to extend your time in Italy by making this

a family vacation. I have booked an extra week with Congress Travel, who

are based in Ottawa, but I am sure there are many other possibilities open

to you depending on your time and budget. Family members can book tours

during the conference and of course many of the concerts are outdoors and

open to all. ”

As the Canadian representative on the ISME board of directors, I am pleased to join Eric and Allan in encouraging Canadian music educators to include Bologna in your plans for July. More information about the conference and commission seminars, as well as about ISME in general, can be found at