Music Education Resources to Commemorate America’s 250th

NAfME recognizes the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a look back at the role music has played in our nation’s history, resources related to music in history and culture, and an invitation to participate in our current music education advocacy initiatives.

Resources

• From the newest issue of Music Educators Journal, we are pleased to share, with no member login required:
  • McCarthy, Marie. “Listening Back, Looking Forward: Music Education at America’s 250th.” Music Educators Journal 112, no. 4 (2026).
• More NAfME resources related to music and music education throughout our nation’s history:
  • NAfME Grassroots Action Center—Take action to make your voice heard in support of music education!
  • From Teaching Music Magazine, April 2026 (no login required):
    • “Music with a Message: Giving Voice to Change”—Music educators share ideas to help students thoughtfully engage with music and its social roles and offer practical considerations and resources to support these efforts. Compiled by Amy Bradley in collaboration with the Teaching Music Advisory Committee.
  • NAfME Teaching with Primary Sources Curriculum Units for the 2014 Music Standards—A curriculum project of NAfME and the Library of Congress of the United States Teaching with Primary Sources
  • Sing Democracy 250—A project commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with performances by high school, college, and community choirs across America
• Historical Articles from NAfME Journals (member login required):
  • McCarthy, Marie. “‘We Who Have the Destiny of Musical America in Our Hands’: History Speaks to Us Through 100 Years of MEJ.” Music Educators Journal 100, no. 4 (2014): 29–38.
  • Mones, Leon. “Music and Education in Our American Democracy.” Music Educators Journal 100, no. 2 (2013): 74–78.
  • Allsup, Randall Everett, and Eric Shieh. “Social Justice and Music Education: The Call for a Public Pedagogy.” Music Educators Journal 98, no. 4 (2012): 47–51.
  • Rose, Leslie Paige. “The Freedom Singers of the Civil Rights Movement: Music Functioning for Freedom.” Update: Applications of Research in Music Education 25, no. 2 (2007): 59–68.
  • Birge, Edward Bailey. “Music in Our Schools: The First 150 Years.” Music Educators Journal 74, no. 6 (1988): 25–101.