Centering Essential Goodness - A Review of Music, Higher Education, and Society

Aug 21, 2026

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Myers’s monograph Music, Higher Education, and Society (2025) addresses the obstacles confronting Western classical music performers and organizations, arguing for innovation and a shift toward the public good to strengthen long-term financial sustainability. The review highlights a key limitation: cosmetic changes to established performance norms do not produce enduring transformation. Instead, the work calls for deep re-examination of higher-education and music-organization assumptions and for questioning the role of performers and the public value of Western classical music, inspired by Small’s musicking.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Overview

Structure and Introductions

International Journal of Education & the Arts [http://www.ijea.org/ ISSN:](http://www.ijea.org/ ISSN:) 1529-8094 Volume 27 Review 2 March 31, 2026 Centering Essential Goodness: A Review of Music, Higher Education, and Society Leah M. Murthy Stevenson University, United States Citation: Murthy, L. M. (2026) . Centering essential goodness: A review of Music, Higher Education, and Society. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 27(r2). [http://doi.org/10.26209/ijea27r2](http://doi.org/10.26209/ijea27r2) Book Reviewed: Myers, D. E. (2025) . Music, higher education, and society: Leading change through music’s essential goodness. Routledge. Abstract Myers, in his monograph Music, Higher Education, and Society (2025), examines the challenges facing Western classical music performers and organizations. The author urges innovation, a focus on the public good, and measures to gain financial sustainability. A critique Myers offers is that superficial alterations to existing Western classical music norms are unhelpful in bringing about lasting change and are symptomatic of non-commercial music’s failure to adjust to the shifting needs of society. In answer, the author advocates a deep-level re-evaluation of the suppositions that undergird practices, decisions, and research in higher education and music organizations. Additionally, Myers recommends an interrogation of the function of Western classical music performers and the music’s value to the public. Inspired by Small’s (1998) concept of musicking, the author envisions co-creative music-making fostering connections between artists and society. Introduction In Music Higher Education and Society (2025), Myers shares insights that deeply resonate with me as a choral educator and former teacher educator. He addresses the treatment and use of global music in higher education and the challenges to gaining full-time employment as a musician. In addition, he emphasizes the need to restructure tertiary music education to lead innovation, respect all musics, and provide teaching instruction for all students. Furthermore, Myers advocates that music organizations embrace new models that are more profoundly inclusive and self-sustaining. For those who, like me, have wondered at the protracted pace of change in higher music education, Myers offers valuable perspective that illuminates the issue. Notably, he offers a thoughtful roadmap to improve the careers of music graduates while candidly identifying realities about Western classical music (WCM) consumption and systemic issues in music performance and higher education that perpetuate earnings deficits for both individuals and organizations. David E. Myers has focused his research on learning across the lifespan (1986, 1992 , 1995, 2007, 2012a, 2012b; Myers et al., 2013), advocating improved research methods to deepen understanding of the impacts of music education across ages (1995 , 2008), and encouraging progressive change in higher music education (Myers, 2014; 2016; Campbell et al., 2016) . His recommendations have included forging long-term community connections to universities for mutual enrichment of students and programs (2003), championing performance and composition majors learning teaching methods (2005), and connecting with the community to encourage attendance at their performances (2006). This publication, in many ways, serves to bring together many of Myers’s past contributions to the field into one harmonious piece of advocacy to encourage musicians, artists, and administrators of higher education arts organizations to center music’s intrinsic value in every plan and action. Overview Structure and Introductions This slim volume has a strong, coherent message for music educators and college students alike: WCM must evolve with the times. Dramatic changes have been needed for some time, and Myers sees a clear path forward for Western classical musicians, arts organizations, and higher education

FAQs

What is the central theme of Myers’s book discussed in the review?

The book centers on the essential goodness of music as a guiding principle for evolving Western classical music, arts organizations, and higher education to better meet contemporary needs.

What critique does the review make of attempts to change Western classical music norms?

Superficial alterations to existing norms are described as unhelpful for lasting change and linked to non-commercial music’s failure to adapt to shifting societal needs.

How does the review describe what universities and music organizations should reconsider?

It emphasizes re-evaluating the assumptions behind higher education and interrogating the role of Western classical music performers and the value of music to the public.

Aug 21, 2026

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