Beynon, E., Vebeln, K., & Elliott, D. J. (2011).

Globalization in the
Context of Canadian Music Education. Marching to the World Beats:,
181-192.
Globalization and incorporating ethnic music into the classroom
is discussed in this article. It is suggested that the world is becoming
flattened by mass production and technology and that music
education is one of the forces combatting this flattening.
In this day and age personalized digital communications devices such
as cellphones, iPads, personal digital assistants, instant messaging,
and Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), which have taken over
peoples lives in both helpful and unhealthy, addictive ways in the
search for immediate answers. (pg.184). However, technology does
not always have to impact communities negatively it allows for
communication from a distance and sharing knowledge faster than
ever before. Students can easily take music lessons from professionals
in completely different parts of the world because of the Internet and
other technology available to us today. This is revolutionary, and the
transfer of ideas will help to shape and improve societies involved.
The article also mentions that although there is ethnic diversity
in Canada, Western culture still predominates the culture and school
systems. They point out that the format of music education remains
much the same as it did fifty years ago with bands, orchestras, choirs,
and guitar programs as the predominant mode of delivery (pg. 188).
Although there is cultural misrepresentation because we are such a
diverse country, Canada was settled by people brought up in the
Western culture. Based on our origin, it makes sense that we would
keep their traditions and that immigrants would adapt to the culture of
where they are living. Despite this, efforts are being made to broaden
the education system and incorporate the music of other cultures into

the classroom. In one instance there is a music program that had a

unit in class on steel drums, the kids enjoyed it so much that there is a
steel drum music course at that school now.
The final point was talking about the fact that classroom music is
not necessarily what todays youth are listening to. I dont think that
globalization in the classroom will necessarily help that. If you are
going to bend over and cater the curriculum to what the students
want, you will have to make pop music programs. Even this does not
guarantee that students will enrol in music classes, they might think
that adults teaching them about their own music is lame, and even the
best intentions wont change that. What incorporating ethnic music
will do is broaden childrens horizons, maybe you will peak a students
interest with Indonesias shadow puppet shows and gamelan
orchestras. I think that if you are to bring something new into the
music classroom, it should be world music. There is a long and rich
musical tradition in other cultures overshadowed by Western Music.
Maybe a good way to look at music classes is to expand the students
palates and inspire curiosity through things they never knew existed.