Place-Based Pedagogy and Rural Communities as Cultural Contexts

The focus of this chapter is place-based pedagogy (PBP) and its importance in the music classroom. The authors begin by acknowledging how the cultural context of rural communities informs teaching practices. Similar to service learning through which students discover the uniqueness of their surroundings, PBP uses the local community as context and opportunity for development as well as giving back. Examples include civic performances, parades, and other community-centered music events. Rural communities are rich in culture, and recognizing their cultural context guides teaching purpose and goals for the benefit of the program and students. Teachers must first understand their “where” (surroundings) before they can use the appropriate “how” (teaching strategy). This chapter includes ideas and examples for mapping PBP onto music classroom practices while simultaneously maintaining a balanced music curriculum.