Contributions to Music Education Vol. 45 - Graduate Research Forum Review 2020

Oct 15, 2026

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Graduate Research Forum Review 2020 summarizes Dr. Ruth Brittin’s keynote, “Understanding and Exploring a World of Research in Music Education,” delivered at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati (Jan 30, 2020). The review highlights her background, travel-informed perspective, and practical guidance for internationally oriented research. It discusses key readings—The Preparation of Music Teachers: A Global Perspective and Globalizing Music Education—and addresses challenges like colonialism, cultural sensitivity, and appropriation, alongside strategies for success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Graduate Research Forum Review 2020

Introducing the Speaker and the Topic

Looking to the Literature of Global Music Education

International Approaches to Music Education

Contributions to Music Education Vol. 45 (2020), pp. 237-241. DAVID THOMPSON Kent State University GRADUATE RESEARCH FORUM REVIEW 2020 Understanding and Exploring a World of Research in Music Education Dr. Ruth Brittin, Professor of Music Education at the University of the Paciﬁc in Stockton, California, recently addressed attendees of the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 30th, 2020. The presentation, Understanding and Exploring a World of Research in Music Education, included numerous print resources, up-to-date information on professional organizations, a philosophical discussion concerning the required sensitivity of international work, and some of the biggest challenges to international research in music education along with strategies for success. Keywords: research, professional organizations, globalism, authenticity, travel Introducing the Speaker and the Topic The most recent annual Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference was held in Cincinnati from January 30th to February 1st, 2020. This conference offers a wide variety of activities and sessions aimed at every OMEA member, be they in-service music teachers, undergraduate pre-service music teachers, university music education faculty, afﬁliated businesses, and others. One of the ﬁrst activities of each OMEA Professional Development Conference is the Graduate Research Forum. In this longstanding tradition, a prominent music education scholar is invited to give a keynote address. The speaker for 2020 was Dr. Ruth Brittin of University of the Paciﬁc in California. Dr. Brittin is professor of music education and currently serves as Program Director for music education at University of the Paciﬁc. She recently served as chief editor of both the International Journal of Music Education: Research and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. As a researcher, her work can be found in numerous journals and presented at conferences afﬁliated with the Inter- Contributions to Music Education national Society for Music Education, National Association for Music Education, American Music Therapy Association, and state music education organizations. Brittin is an active performer on French horn and maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, adjudicator, and arranger for vocal and instrumental settings. The keynote, titled Understanding and Exploring a World of Research in Music Education, began with additional biographic details to establish context. Brittin recalled several summer trips during childhood with her parents, both academics. Just before one of those enlightening and world-expanding trips, she was admonished to “leave yourself at home,” and respect the local culture by not being the“ugly American.” Travel has remained a signiﬁcant part of life for Brittin, who moved from Texas to Florida for graduate school, and then later to New York and California as a university professor. Brittin asked the attendees to consider how their own experiences and travel might inform a globally-minded music education practice and research agenda. Looking to the Literature of Global Music Education Two recent texts are among Brittin’s must-reads for music teachers and music teacher educators. The Preparation of Music Teachers: A Global Perspective (2015) isan edited book that proﬁles music education policy and practice in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Brittin chose to highlight Finland and Kenya in this presentation. Finland has a national music curriculum, but allows for local customization as needed by the community. Music teacher education programs are selective and tuition free. Classical music is balanced with popular styles, as students are encouraged to present recitals and concerts in a variety of locationsand on multiple instruments. These qualities, among others, lead many to consider Finland as a model nation for

FAQs

Who delivered the Graduate Research Forum keynote in 2020, and where was it presented?

Dr. Ruth Brittin delivered the keynote, presented during the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Cincinnati on January 30, 2020.

What key themes did Brittin emphasize about global research in music education?

She emphasized sensitivity to international work, challenges posed by colonialism and cultural appropriation, and the need to respect local culture when engaging globally.

Which global-focused texts did Brittin highlight in the presentation?

She highlighted The Preparation of Music Teachers: A Global Perspective (2015) and Kertz-Welzel’s Globalizing Music Education: A Framework (2018), discussing their relevance to international music education.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by nayy☆