Introduction: Keeping the Dialectic Open for Music Education

Abstract

This article explores four reasons for devoting a review issue of Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education to Randall Allsup's Remixing the Classroom: Toward an Open Philosophy of Music Education. First, Allsup seems to recognize the social, cultural, and somatic situatedness of his own thinking, a materialist and constructionist stance consistent with ACT's focus in critical social theory. Second, Allsup's approach further complements the ideals of the MayDay Group. Third, Allsup directly challenges praxial philosophies of music education that have been and continue to be foundational in ACT and the MayDay Group--a challenge that calls for a response. Finally, in his dialectical struggle between open and closed forms, Allsup foregrounds openness and rupture, a necessity in efforts for emancipatory change music education.