Research On The Development Of Music Educational History In Cambridge University

Music education is an important part of the educational development of Cambridge University.Since the establishment of Cambridge university,music education has never been absent in its development.Cambridge University is not only the first university to award music degree in the world but is one of the few universities that can fully embody the context and process of higher music education development.The initiation,development and evolution of music education in Cambridge University witnessed and recorded the historical changes of higher music education in Britain,and reflected the development of higher music education.The contemporary construction of music education in Cambridge University reflects the development concept and vitality of contemporary British higher music education.The music education in Cambridge University was produced and developed in the exploration of the dialectical music theory and the practice of religious music.After the establishment of the Cambridge University,as one of the courses of "Seven Artes Liberales",music was a compulsory course for students to get all the degrees.And the book The System of Music written by the ancient Roman scholar Boethius was the main learning content of music course.His educational thought originated from the theoretical achievement of speculative music of predecessors and from the numbers and portions to analyze music but had nothing with the music practice.On the other hand,Cambridge University was closely related to religion,and almost all religious ceremonies contained music that it was indispensable in the university religious life.The chapel had become an important place for music practice in Cambridge University and the teaching method of music had been developed in the practice of religious music.In 1464,Cambridge University awarded Henry Abingdon,the conductor of the royal St.John’s children’s choir,a Doctorate of Music,which was the first recorded Doctorate of Music in the world.Early music degree has the character of honorary degree,and it was no need for the degree applicant to live in school and have oral defense for their Doctorate Degree.In the 16 th and 17 th centuries,under the influence of humanism,the perceptual cognition of music was awakened.Music was gradually separated from science and people increasingly regarded music as an art rather than just a science or philosophy so the practice of music has developed rapidly.The British music in the Tudor and Stuart dynasties was prosperous and produced a large number of music masters who enjoyed great reputation in Europe and many of them came from Cambridge.In 1516,some specific requirements were made by Cambridge University for the music degree applicants,requiring them to compose a work of hymn or mass.These requirements were originally based on the need for religious ceremonies or large events,and later became a test for the applicants’ music abilities.Boethius’ music theory was still the main content of music courses in university,but the theory of speculative music has been applied in scientific experimental research and the theory of homophony was connected with the physical science.In 1684,Cambridge University appointed Nicholas Stakins,head of the royal orchestra,as the music professor and Cambridge University was one of the first universities to establish the music professorship,and the "1684 Music Professorship" became the honorary professorship of Cambridge University,which is still in use today.But,as the position of music professorships in Cambridge University didn’t receive donation,the music professors were not paid and hadn’t obligation to teach,but were responsible for creating music and reviewing music degree works during major religious events or celebrations.From the end of the 17 th century to the middle 19 th century,the British economy developed rapidly driven by the Industrial Revolution,accelerating the commercialization and popularity of music activities.In this period,there was no world-class music masters in the Britain.Compared with the glory and prosperity music of Britain in previous centuries,music creation fell into "silence".Almost at the same time,the development of Cambridge University gradually stagnated,and talent cultivation was separated from social development.But in this period,music education activities of Cambridge University did not stop,but became more active.Music education showed the characteristics of popularity,and music became a fashion and an important accomplishment for a "gentleman".On the other hand,music education has lost its important academic statue in universities in the middle ages and was marginalized.Despite the increasing number of students applying for music degrees in Cambridge University and Oxford University and the further strict standards for the awarding of music degrees,music education was always outside the academic and teaching system of universities,and music degree applicants and music professors couldn’t obtain the same status as other scholars.In the middle of 19 th century to the beginning of 20 th century,the relationship among the subject orientation of music,music professional attribute and academic attribute became an important proposition in British universities,which also triggered the debate in Cambridge University for decades.The specific educational tradition of university required music to have the same academic identity with other disciplines,and the professional skills such as composition and performance of music were also crucial in the formation of music.The professional music education in Cambridge University has experienced a process from academic marginalization to assimilation,and then to the personalized development of disciplines,in which music professors in Cambridge University have played an important role.At the beginning of the 20 th century,professional music education in Cambridge University was released from the long-term marginalization,and music returned to the academic research and teaching system of the university as a formal discipline.At the same time,the music societies represented by the Cambridge University Music Society developed vigorously,and the high-level concert performances attracted people’s attention.Tchaikovsky,Saint Saens and other world-class music masters were invited to conduct the music association’s performance in Cambridge University,and were awarded the honorary doctorate of music by Cambridge University.In 1947 Music College of Cambridge University was formally established,and it’s music education entered a new era.Diversification development of music education presents in contemporary Cambridge University where the professional music education is multi-dimensional construction and music general education is various and prosperous as well as they have mutual sharing in resource and mutual integration so that the music education full of vigor formed in Cambridge University.While emphasizing the teaching of subject skills,it also pays attention to cultivating students’ transferable ability,paying attention to interdisciplinary research,and integrating into the integration process of higher music education in Europe.More than 60 music societies in Cambridge University often perform in cooperation with world-renowned conductors.Many college’s choirs are renowned for their first-class chorus level,and music general education is flourishing.The construction and development of contemporary music education in Cambridge University brings a lot of reflections and inspirations: What significance and role of music education plays in higher education? How the higher music education inherit and develop traditional music culture? And how the professional music education and the general education of music get organically integrated.The development of contemporary music education in Cambridge University has enlightening and referential significance for higher music education in China.Music education in Cambridge Music has a long-standing history.Therefore,the research on the development history of music education in Cambridge University has high academic value and practical significance,while few domestic scholars have studied this aspect.The subject has carried on the pioneering research with strong innovation.