Culture in the 21st-Century Music Classroom

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Songs with a questionable past have no place in our elementary music classrooms. Here are resources to aid in selecting appropriate music.

As we navigate this intricate terrain, it is essential to be mindful of the historical context and implications associated with songs that have a questionable past.

The Playlist

Informational Web Sites About Inclusive Music

• The Know Better Do Better Project-a page dedicated to awareness and providing NEW songs to replace songs with a questionable past.
• Decolonizing the Music Room
• Repertoire & Music Listening Resources for culturally diverse authentic resources (scroll to the bottom of the linked page)
• The Decolonial Atlas and North and South America’s Black music roots.
• DEI Music Education Resources-practical implementation of DEI such as repertoire, lesson plans, and methods. Thanks to Garo Saraydarian for this resource.

Databases of Music and Songs With a Questionable Past

These databases have NOT been fact-checked. They are a place to see the results of some of the discussions currently occurring in music education. I personally use them as a jumping off place when I want to use a particular song. From there, I do my own specific research.

• Songs With a Questionable Past
• List of Pieces to be Reconsidered or Removed
• Problematic Songs

More About Know Better Do Better In Music

The Breakdown on Minstrelsy by Dara Starr Tucker

Articles

• The cultural stereotypes in The Nutcracker and new attempts to change them.
• Five Songs I’m No Longer Using In My Music Room by Aileen Miracle
• Diversity, Inclusive Programming, and Music Education Series-by Jon Silpayamanant-There is so much on this site other than the one series I’ve linked.
• DAW, Music Production, and Colonialism, a Bibliography by Jon Silpayamanant
• This Land Is Your Land-“The Blind Spot In the Great American Protest Song” discusses that America rests on land stolen from Indigenous people.