Can the BJU music be used secularly?

[one l michele]

We do use Abeka Health and simply skip the religious aspects of it, could we do the same with BJU music?

[Michelle in MO]

on BJU's music, perhaps I can help you. To be honest with you, I've not heard anything one way or another about their music program, but I could perhaps help steer you in a direction where the music instruction would be more secular.


If you're looking for a more secular theory program, our piano teacher has used the Bastien (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-3228492-9232718?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Bastien+Music+Theory)series. Actually, our piano teacher used Bastien for introductory piano, technique, and theory, and then, because I was raised more on Suzuki and was more familiar with their method and their piano literature, she has switched them over to Suzuki for piano. We still use Bastien for theory, however.

[Rebecca in VA]

I was thinking about BJU Music just today. It's a well-rounded program that really teaches a great deal about many aspects of music. We used it for a year or so a while back. I stopped using it due to a lack of time and energy (it was always the last thing we'd get to in the afternoon, and I was always exhausted, so eventually we just stopped trying to do the lessons). However, I've always felt in the back of my mind that BJU Music provides something tremendously valuable that just isn't found through piano lessons and music theory books. I'm going to be pulling out our Music 5 and 6 materials and trying to use them this year.

All BJU materials are filled with references to God, church, Jesus, etc. You'll find some hymns among the song selections, and there will be occasional mention of religious topics in the CDs. However, as best I can remember, it would be perfectly possible to use the material secularly.

[OhElizabeth]

Well my initial reaction, knowing you and using the BJU music myself, is to say you're not going to like it. It doesn't have that streamlined, classical/rigorous, efficient-methodology with a twist of academic excellence that you seem to like. Like if I were thinking of something for you, it would have a mix of music history and this and that and be a bit more academic. There is some music history in the BJU music, but it's more focused on enjoyment, participation, etc. We listened to Peter and the Wolf and the discussed the instruments. We sing a variety of genres of songs and talk about musical elements in them.

There will be christian content and christian references in the tm, but they're skippable.

I'm taking the time to do the BJU music with her because I want her to have that background of knowledge for choir singing and whatnot that I felt like some kids had and I didn't when I went away to college. There's a real focus on that with the music, and the sight reading leads up to that, etc. I don't know. I'm just saying I'd be surprised if you liked it. You might like something like Kindermusik better. Do they have classes for your ages of kids? We did that when my dd was little, and it was fun. It's totally secular, very kinesthetic.

[one l michele]

Actually for Art and Music I prefer programs that allow them to experiment and become familiar with assorted styles and basic terminology. I'm fine with skipping religious parts as long as once you take those out there will still be something to cover. I'm not worried about the history or studying composers/artists for elementary. We dropped AP and went with something with more hands on and less background info for this reason.

How user friendly is the BJU music? What components are necessary to use it? With a 1st and 3rd grader would you start with level 2?

We do listen to assorted music, they've even asked for many of the Beethoven Wig and Putumayo music on their Shuffles.

[OhElizabeth]

Have you looked at www.bjup.com to see if they have samples? They usually put large samples up. The tm's are an older edition, which I like, as they aren't overwhelming with so many boxes and colors and junk. They're extremely clear to teach from. Yes, gr 2 would be fine. Do you play an instrument or know something about music yourself? Obviously it's going to be easier to teach if you do. The tm assumes a teacher who knows what things are, at least basic music stuff (note names, rhythm, etc.).

As far as what to get, you want the tm, a student book, skip the workbook (personal opinion), and the music cd's. It's the music cd's that are so expensive for some reason. You might see if you can get the tapes and find them used on ebay or something. I do like the BJU music a lot, and since it doesn't seem to be an item that gets updated, I'm saving all mine for this next dc. I don't know, maybe that's a mistake with the way technology changes (cd vs. ???). In any case, that's my current plan.

[Rebecca in VA]

I'm looking through Music 5 and 6 this morning, and WOW! They are more sophisticated than I thought they would be. They're really a perfect complement to basic music theory/ear training, which my daughter already takes. Students learn to take apart pieces of music and analyze them quite thoroughly. They also study music history, elements of music, instrumental genres, vocal genres, and music of other countries (Music 5 teaches American regional music, while Music 6 has sections on Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Russia, Middle East, Europe, Orient, the Pacific, Asia, songs of the seasons, and songs of praise). I ~think~ there are a few small composing opportunities included as well. There are 64 lessons per grade. Workbooks are necessary, at least at these levels.

There really is a good bit of religious content. You sort of have to decide whether to include it and just count it as "cultural literacy" (the same way many homeschoolers use the Mennonite Rod & Staff materials) or discard some valuable material.