Alliance for Active Music Making

The Alliance for Active Music Making is a United States-based nonprofit organization. It focuses on promoting comprehensive music education and active music-making experiences for children and youth.

Philosophy

The organization emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity and artistry in young learners through a holistic approach to music education. This includes fostering conceptual awareness, musical discernment, and encouraging active participation in music-making activities from an early stage. The philosophy critiques the traditional goal-oriented performance approaches often prevalent in music education, advocating for a more inclusive and creative learning environment.

Educational Approach

The Alliance for Active Music Making draws inspiration from prominent music education methodologies, including those developed by Edwin Gordon, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, Zoltan Kodaly, and Carl Orff. These approaches prioritize active engagement and participation in music-making activities, which are believed to enhance both conceptual and affective development in children.

Goals and Impact

By integrating active music-making into educational settings, the organization aims to enrich children's lives beyond mere academic learning. It seeks to counterbalance the pressures of standardized education by cultivating critical thinking, creativity, and emotional expression through music.

Collaboration and Resources

The Alliance encourages collaboration among different educational approaches, promoting a versatile and adaptive teaching environment. This adaptability allows music educators to leverage multiple strategies to enhance musical understanding and active participation among learners.