Music for All: Supporting Students with Special Needs in the Music Classroom

Music education has the potential to provide students with lifelong enjoyment, a sense of community, and a way of understanding themselves, others, and the world around them. This research project addresses the findings of two recent quantitative studies conducted by VanWeelden and Whipple (2014a, 2014b) by investigating the ways in which teachers support the learning of students with special needs in the music classroom. Using a qualitative research method, two face-to-face interviews were conducted with exemplary music teachers. Findings indicate in order to better support students with special needs in the music classroom, the education system as a whole must first possess a better understanding of the benefits and importance of music education. Despite a general lack of understanding and support for music education, music teachers are finding new and innovative ways to make music education accessible for all students