SE06 EP14 - Liberal Arts and Fine Arts: Understanding the Trivium, Quadrivium, and the Place of Music in Catholic Education - with Mark Langley
May 28, 2024
auto_awesome
Mark Langley, an expert in Catholic classical education, discusses the importance of music in education and the modern misconceptions hindering its proper recognition. He explores the significance of the Trivium and Quadrivium in shaping students' minds for deeper understanding. The conversation delves into Descartes' view on certitude, the interplay of liberal and fine arts, and the transformative power of music in education and character formation.
Music plays a vital role in Catholic education, enhancing students' understanding and appreciation of sacred music.
The Trivium and Quadrivium structure in classical education fosters deep knowledge and philosophical insight, connecting subjects like music and astronomy.
Deep dives
Role of Classical Education in Catholic Schools
Classical education plays a key role in Catholic schools, focusing on the Trivia and Quadrivium and emphasizing music's role within this system. Mark Langley, an experienced educator, highlights the legacy and importance of classical education in his journey from Trivia Academy to Chesterton Academy. The structured approach to education incorporating elements like music aims to foster a profound understanding for students.
The Significance of the Liberal Arts
The liberal arts, divided into the Trivium and Quadrivium, offer pathways to deeper knowledge and philosophical understanding. This structured curriculum links back to ancient times, with origins traceable to Plato's writings on music and astronomy. Mark Langley delves into the essence of liberal arts, illustrating how subjects like mathematics, music, and astronomy lay the foundation for students' cognitive development.
Music as a Reflection of Order
In the Trivium and Quadrivium, music stands as a reflection of the well-ordered soul and nature's harmony. The study of music as a liberal art and a fine art bridges the gap between intellectual understanding and artistic expression. Mark Langley's emphasis on choir participation demonstrates how music contributes to cultivating a sense of communal beauty and order in educational settings.
Choral Practice and Formation
Choir rehearsals, a mandatory aspect in schools led by Mark Langley, serve as a transformative experience for students. Through regular singing sessions and choral practice, students not only refine their musical abilities but also nurture a sense of unity and beauty. The commitment to choir sessions extends beyond musical proficiency, fostering values of discipline, harmony, and aesthetic appreciation among students.
Having worked in Catholic classical education for decades, Mark Langley knows the place of music in Catholic education, and has built schools in which every student is enabled to learn and sing chant and polyphonic works from the Church's sacred music treasury. Join us for a discussion about where music figures into the educational structure, and some problems in the modern conception of the nature of music that prevent Catholic education from giving music its proper due.