American Music Education 1941–1946: Meeting Needs and Making Adjustments during World War II

Patriotism, nationalism, and national identity in music education: ‘O Canada,’ how well do we know thee?

“…Civic and social studies teachers could assist by taking some class time to review the history of the anthem and the French and English versions. While we acknowledge that the teaching of the national anthem in schools can turn into an unhealthy type of patriotism (Abril, 2007; Beegle, 2004; Jorgensen, 2007), we also know that citizenship education is mandated in Canadian schools and teaching the national anthem is part and parcel of this education. We contend that all students in Canadian schools should be capable of executing both sets of words from memory.…”

“…Issues addressed are the connections between patriotism, nationalism, and globalization in music education (Hebert, 2006;Ho & Law, 2003, the role played by the content of music education curricula in cultivating patriotism and/or a sense of national identity (Bartel et al, 1999;Brand, 2003;Ho & Law, 2003;Hollington, 2005), the connection between the national anthem and national identity (Bodnar & Gilboa, 2009;Veblen, in press), and critique of the use of the national anthem in schools in one jurisdiction (Abril, 2007;Beegle, 2004;Jorgensen, 2007). Hebert (2006) and Law (2003, 2009) investigated issues of patriotism and music education in Asia-Pacific countries.…”

“…this choice illuminates values, traditions, history, cultural context(s) and ideologies of the dominant culture in that society -and serves to highlight the struggles the dominant culture has in maintaining position and power. (p. 2) Positing a critical view, Abril (2007), Beegle (2004) and Jorgensen (2007) question the use of patriotic music in general and the national anthem in particular in United States schools, albeit from different viewpoints. Beegle (2004) adopts an historical lens as she examines American music education during World War II and the goal to achieve American unity through music.…”

“…(p. 2) Positing a critical view, Abril (2007), Beegle (2004) and Jorgensen (2007) question the use of patriotic music in general and the national anthem in particular in United States schools, albeit from different viewpoints. Beegle (2004) adopts an historical lens as she examines American music education during World War II and the goal to achieve American unity through music. She questions the return to this tactic in the wake of terrorist events in the 21st century.…”

“…The topics of patriotism, nationalism, and national identity in music education have been the subject of recent scholarly inquiry (Abril, 2007; Bartel, Dollof, & Shand, 1999; Beegle, 2004; Bodnar & Gilboa, 2009; Brand, 2003; Hebert, 2006; Ho & Law, 2003, 2009; Hollington, 2005; Jorgensen, 2007; Veblen, in press). Issues addressed are the connections between patriotism, nationalism, and globalization in music education (Hebert, 2006; Ho & Law, 2003, 2009), the role played by the content of music education curricula in cultivating patriotism and/or a sense of national identity (Bartel et al, 1999; Brand, 2003; Ho & Law, 2003; Hollington, 2005), the connection between the national anthem and national identity (Bodnar & Gilboa, 2009; Veblen, in press), and critique of the use of the national anthem in schools in one jurisdiction (Abril, 2007; Beegle, 2004; Jorgensen, 2007).…”