Metaphors for a Change: A Conversation about Images of Music Education and Social Change

Abstract

Two common themes emerge in our writings over the past several decades. Estelle Jorgensen has focused partially and significantly on models and metaphors that undergird music education. Iris Yob has examined the role of higher education generally and music education specifically in creating positive social change. At times, and against the backdrop of recent writing on music education, social change, and social justice, we each have explored topics in the other's area of interest. Neither of us, however, has systematically brought together the two themes: building practices on grounding metaphors for developing music education as a means for promoting the common good. In this paper, our conversation explores some metaphors that might assist music educators' understanding and practice as agents of social change.