Cultivating Cultural Awareness through Diverse and Meaningful Musical Experiences in the Elementary Music Classroom

Abstract

This study was designed using a qualitative approach to better understand elementary students’ perceptions of music from around the world and people who they perceive to be “different” from them. All 66 3rd grade students participated in a focus group conversation both before and after participating in mini-units on music from Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and South Korea. Through these conversations, themes emerged which will help shape the way that elementary music teachers approach using music from around the world in their music classrooms.