Calvin Brainerd Cady: Thought and Feeling in the Study of Music

Abstract

Calvin Brainerd Cady (1851-1928) was an influential American music educator who developed a theory of music education that emphasized the unification of children's thoughts and feelings. Focusing on the development of artistic music-conception (the ability to hear music in the mind), Cady taught music's intellectual and emotional aspects simultaneously. Cady demonstrated the effectiveness of his theory through successful music education practices at John Dewey's laboratory school and at his own Music-Education School. Cady was a significant reformer who pioneered several new activities and principles that became standard practices. His practical theories and effective practice influenced many music educators and the course of American music education history. His unification of thought and feeling in the music curriculum is still relevant to current and future music education practices.