Music At Highlander Essay

medicament is a powerful tool of distilion. Whether produced or listened to, it can reveal abstr physical exertion aspects of ones personality. Songs can hold unique personal meanings through memory or message. During times of desperation, medications invariable rhythm can bear a fortress of comfort and steadiness. medicament is dep deceaseed upon for security, c atomic number 18, inspiration, and as a arctic haven to be able to press freely. The laid-backland(prenominal) Folk School is depended upon for the same reasons. These two schools of thought not only share similar relationships with great deal, just now they are practiced together frequently. Song, medical specialty and food are integral part of education at highland(prenominal). melody is one fashion for people to express their traditions, longings, and determination (158). Myles Horton seemed certainly aware of the importance music had at Highlander, but never expressed it further than this quote from ne ar the end of his autobiography, The extensive Haul. How big of a role did music play in the Highlander education? Producing a safer surroundings, a to a greater extent enriched education, and the index to unleash potential, music was essential in the Highlander education.Music is nonjudgmental. There is no well(p) or wrong, it just is what it is. People take away from music any(prenominal) they want. Myles Horton set up Highlander to exercise in the same way. He offered a community that practiced social equality, no discrimination or lack of freedom of speech. He offered workshops on what the people wanted to work on, and then left it to them to take away and use what they want. This was the organic social organisation of education Horton preached. He also focused on the surroundings involve to support this education. The job of the staff members is to create a relaxed atmosphere in which the participants feel free to share their experiences (150).Without an environment wher e people felt safe and comfortable in, this system would stay only a theory. Music unplowed this structure stable. Group songs created a platform for different cultures to bond and visualise each other. It created comfort, security, and an environment full of love. Myles describes Highlander as, A long arras with a weft made up of many colors solely of them are of a piece and blend in, and all are base on a love for humanity and trust in the ability of people to control their own lives enventually (134).Myles Horton believed in experiential-based education. He endorsed schoolchild to student discussions. The chooseing happens between sharing stories and experiences from each other. He tried conflate as many cultures, ideas, and perspectives together to provide an enriched collection of experiences. Another enrichment was the use of music and storytellingIn fact, the history of Highlander could in many meaning(a) ways be told by the music traditional songs and songs of strugg le that was brought at that place by the people (133). Music at Highlander connected to people through messages, memories and traditions which provided students with enriched experiences to reverse from.Some songs brought hidden truths to light, others elysian groups to come together. Church hymns were adapted and used as union songs (158). all(prenominal) song brought with it some sense of tradition or culture to learn from. Before Highlander was established, Horton went to Denmark to get inspired by their folk high schools. He recalls an old director telling him that, Through songs and poetry, students could grasp truths that susceptibility otherwise escape them, and that singing in amity was an effective way of inspiring people and bringing them closer together (52). Music was a integral part of the Highlander education because it created student union and providing more enriched experiences to learn from.Music nurtures self-esteem and encourages creativity, self-confiden ce, and curiosity. Horton tries to nurture and encourage the same from students at Highlander. Myles viewed himself as a gardener and his job to provide opportunities for people to grow, to provide a climate which nurtures islands of decency, where people can learn in such a way that they continue to grow (133). Music helped provide this warmth climate by installing tradition and comfort. Singing in unison provided an opportunity for students to grow by encouraging self-confidence and self-esteem.Group singing also help solidify a Highlander fundamental sentiment trust people and believe in their ability to think for themselves. present people collectively, not individually. Bernice Robinson and Myles Horton learned early on in the head start Citizenship School classes that, You couldnt just read and write yourself into freedom. You had to fight for that and you had to do it as part of a group, not as an individual (104). Music lets students demonstrate the beauty and power of collective unison without actually passing Highlander and protesting. This experience was invaluable in naturing and growing students.Myles Horton reveals near the end of his book, Other than encouraging others, I made no significant contributions to music at the school, unless you count the verse I added to We Shall Overcome The truth shall assume us free (158). This statement shows his compassion for justice and his awareness of the importance of music at Highlander. Hortons wife, Zilphia, is described by him as, The moving spirit up in shaping the singing and music program at Highlander (158). Many pictures in the book display Zilphia leading strikers in song or Folk concerts at Highlander by Pete Seeger & Friends (156,157,159). Horton seemed to be surrounded by music through out his manner and the education structure at Highlander is influenced by this. Music contend a vital role at Highlander by providing an enriched environment nurturing students to learn in such a way t hat they continue to grow.