Instrumental Music Education: Judaic sources which shed light on the power of group educational settings

The extent of severe violence, alcohol, drug abuse and school dropout among today`s youth has been compared to global epidemics. Studies that explain these grave phenomena implicate the separation and alienation that exists between the student and the school system and the yearning of students to belong. Indeed, research confirms that a sense of belonging, general behavior and motivation to study are closely intertwined. Joining 21st century leaders who promote educational settings that nurture a sense of belonging, the Israel Ministry of Education has recently initiated an academically accredited teachers training program for Instrumental Music Education. Conducted in small and large homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, such programs enable students to learn to play instruments, and partake in choirs, ensembles and youth orchestras. Recent research consistently confirms the contribution of such settings to the self-efficacy and sense of belonging of the students as well as to select meta-cognitive extra musical skills.

Ongoing questions regarding the attributes of group music education seem to pivot on educators` more basic quest for creating settings which best maximize an individual`s potential. While these questions are topical, they have a long history, dating back to Biblical texts. This paper will review select sources which highlight the power of the group with regard to prayer, prophecy, and the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. Conclusions will underline similarities between these texts and the objectives of instrumental music education.