Music Education, Inc.

Abstract

Today’s students live in the center of a rich, interconnected system of public, philanthropic, and for-profit entities that support the act of music teaching and learning. Students are not limited to the kinds of musical instruction available to them in their schools. Provided they have the means and the access, the musically curious can supplement or supplant their in-school musical lives with extracurricular and cocurricular activities, private studio lessons, community ensembles, or religious services. The for-profit music education industry in particular has grown in popularity and commercial success since the global recession, encouraged in part by what appears to be an increasing demand for instruction in popular genres that is not being met in the public schools. Corporate entities that sell music instruction have reached unprecedented levels of cultural saturation and student interest. With their successes have come a number of new teaching models, philosophies, and innovative ways for students to engage with music. However, these experiences may come at a cost, particularly to equal access by disadvantaged populations who might not be able to pay for said services. This article examines the popular music education (PME) franchise and its budding relationship with public school music education.