Raises a central issue in music education: whether performance is an end in itself or whether it is ancillary to something else. Discusses the traditional aesthetic education notion of musical performance and develops a new concept of the nature and values of music performance in music education. (KM)

Maintains that only people prepared through an arts education can truly receive and understand the benefits of civilization. Argues that we may counteract the undesirable effects of an easy, "instant response" society by focusing our collective and cooperative energies on education about the arts. (TRS)

Speculates that a balance can be found by focusing on artistic concepts, learned through experience and broadening the range of cultural exemplars. Posits that the balance is best found by teachers in tune with the school community. (KM)