Our Philosophy
"All children should have the opportunity for musical growth experiences...." This
philosophy espoused by Betty Welsbacher, professor emeritus of music and special music
education at WSU sums up the philosophy for Music Education at Wichita State University.
Our faculty believe that all students can learn when the message is presented at their
own level. Since music is nonverbal, it becomes a vitally important medium for all
students, including those who have exceptionalities. If a child can understand through
music, the concepts of long and short sounds, duration, loud and soft, high and low,
pitch, and rhythm patterns, he can transfer that knowledge to other areas. If a child
has the experience of moving her body up and down through music, then up and down
come to have meaning.
Our music educators strive for a structure which allows for different learning stages
through which the child progresses and which allows for various styles of learning.
Non-verbal and verbal responses are equally important and lessons in music must be
presented so that there is something for every learner in every style at every age
in any music medium. Music is our universal language.
