The Role of Music Educators in Promoting Unity in Diversity Through Musical Creation and Appreciation

Abstract

Living in multicultural country, our children are growing up with the greatest challenge society face today, diversity. We still find many cases about intolerance that lead to fanaticism, hatred, and violence. This article demonstrates how musical creation and appreciation has enabled students to have a better intercultural understanding and empathy. It discusses the creative practice of music educator in assisting students to develop quality of open-mindedness, respect, and tolerance. Using a semi-structured interview, we report on the role of five experienced educators in Semarang, Indonesia in encouraging student to create and appreciate music inside and outside the classroom. It also explores their teaching approach based on national curricula both in face-to-face and virtual ways. The successful practice of music educators to increase student comprehension of living in diversity and contextual themes framework will provide readers with knowledge and skill to spark interest in multicultural music creation and appreciation.

Keywords: cultural diversity, music educators, musical creation and appreciation