KAREN HOWARD & SARAH MINETTE
Karen Howard is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of St. Thomas. She received her B.M. and M.Mus.Ed. from The Hartt School, and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Karen taught elementary music for 20 years in Connecticut and Washington. She has extensive
training in global vocal, instrumental, and dance traditions. Karen has presented at the national and international level helping music teachers around the world to make meaningful connections with music and dance of diverse cultures and navigating the creation of learning experiences that promote and celebrate equity. Her research interests and publications include works on ethnomusicology, activism in music education, and global singing traditions. |
Whiteness as Property in Music Education: Considering the Acceptance of Hamilton: An American Musical
The purpose of this paper is to examine white music educators’ acceptance and celebration of Hamilton: An American Musical, a show that includes hip hop and rap leading to possible parallels drawn to people of color who have found benefits from passing as white. This paper examines musical repertoire and pedagogical practices as property based in whiteness in order to explore whether the show and its music have passed as acceptable in predominantly white music education. Interviews with 10 white music educators will form the framework for discussion regarding the valuation of Hamilton and a possible hypervaluation of whiteness.