Artur Avanesov Co-Authors New Grade School Music Textbooks

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The  American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce that College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Assistant Professor and composer Artur Avanesov has co-authored the new music textbooks for grades 6, 8, and 10. The textbooks were recently approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS) of the Republic of Armenia, to be used in public schools starting September 2024. Avanesov teaches several music courses, including Music Appreciation, Music and Literature, and Armenian Music, in AUA’s Undergraduate General Education program. 

We asked Avanesov to share with us his vision for music education in Armenia, how these new textbooks differ from those previously used, and more. 

Please describe the process of drafting these textbooks. 

It all started in 2022 with a proposal from Zangak Publishing House. Since then, the work on drafting different textbooks never stopped. The 10th grade textbook was completed in 2023, during which year I also authored a portion of the text of the 5th grade textbook and was involved as adviser and editor for two more textbooks written by other authors. All of these textbooks were approved by MoESCS. The 6th and 8th grade textbooks were completed earlier this year. 

With whom did you draft these textbooks?

The textbooks and teacher’s handbooks were written in collaboration with musicologist Dr. Tatevik Shakhkulyan. In the case of the 6th and 8th grade textbooks, the work was split evenly, while I wrote 80% of the 10th grade textbook. We chose topics based on our professional interests and expertise. We also extensively proofread and coordinated each other’s texts and discussed the format of questions and assignments. 

What inspired you to take on the task of drafting these textbooks? 

Though the proposal came from the publisher, as someone involved in teaching music to non-musicians, I had felt the need for quality textbooks for a long time. It was important for me to build higher education in music upon a more solid foundation. 

In what ways are your new textbooks different from the ones that were previously used? 

Let us begin with the fact that, until now, teaching music at school was limited to the 7th grade, so there were no 8th or 10th grade textbooks at all. Starting the next school year (2024-25), the music class will be offered as an elective in high school. However, it will be mandatory for all the grades prior. 

Music class at school is still perceived as a “singing class” by many. Sure enough, singing is an important part of the music curriculum, but it is not the only component. Beyond a certain age, most students are no longer interested in singing. As a musician, I always felt the need for educated listeners of music. The textbooks aim to reveal some professional “secrets:” how things really work in music, how it is written or performed…For instance, the 6th grade textbook explains how musical performance works, what it really means to interpret the music, the difference between live performance and recording, etc. We also discuss the ways in which the music is composed, why there are so many different musical forms, and more.

In real life, students are surrounded by different types of music, and these often don’t match the content of the school music class. In the 8th grade textbook, we tried to address this issue and initiate a conversation about the types of music not often discussed in school. At the same time, we avoided including “fashionable” musical trends that today’s students already know and that may become less relevant in just a few years. For us, it was very important to explain the logic behind all types of music. 

The textbooks also address ways to listen to music: the difference between concerts (both classical and non-classical), festivals, and musical competitions; common etiquette for listening to live music; etc.

We have included many open-ended questions that encourage students to think and propose their own answers and solutions to real-world problems. The textbooks contain multiple interdisciplinary connections between music and other fields of culture, art, science, and history. We have introduced new types of assignments. Depending on the students’ interests and needs, the assignments include both creative and research-based tasks. Many feature collaborative work and teach students the basics of academic integrity, which is not often addressed in Armenian public schools. 

What insights have you gained from your assistant professorship at AUA that helped you with drafting these new textbooks?

Teaching at AUA has been enormously important for creating these textbooks. When I first stepped into my AUA classroom in the fall of 2013, I could not imagine that many things that musicians take for granted do not really seem as obvious to non-musicians. Teaching at the University helped me learn how to come up with better formulations; how not to jump to conclusions too quickly; how to observe the evolution of musical taste, preferences, and knowledge among young people of various non-musical professions; and, most importantly, how to think critically and creatively.

What do you see as the future of music education in Armenia?

Teaching music at school is only one — though a very important — part of music education. Of course, the textbook is just the tip of the iceberg. The real work starts in the classroom, and many factors depend on the teachers. In this regard, there is much to be done to improve the quality of pedagogical education in Armenia and to embrace and integrate new methods of teaching.

Avanesov is currently working on writing other textbooks and says more publications may be forthcoming. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.