Elliot's groundbreaking 1995 book, Music Matters: A New Philosophy in Music Education, introduced the praxial theory of music education. Critical Matters collects the responses to Elliot's basic thesis from a number of today's leading scholars in the field. A companion to Music Matters, Critical Matters is designed to spark debate and deeper analysis of this influential theory music education.

1: David J. Elliott: Introduction 2: Marie F. McCarthy, J. Scott Goble: The Praxial Philosophy in Historical Perspective 3: Wayne D. Bowman: The Limits and Grounds of Musical Praxialism 4: Constantijn Koopman: The Nature of Music and Musical Works 5: Wilfred Gruhn: Understanding Musical Understanding 6: Heidi Westerlund, Marja-Leena Juntunen: Music and Knowledge in Bodily Experience 7: Robert A. Cutietta, Sandra L. Stauffer: Listening Reconsidered 8: Wayne. D. Bowman: Why Musical Performance? Views Praxial to Performative 9: Jeffrey Martin: Composing and Improvising 10: Margaret Barrett: A "Systems View" of Musical Creativity 11: C. K. Szego: Praxial Foundations of Multicultural Music Education 12: Thomas A. Regelski: Curriculum: Implications of Aesthetics vs. Praxial Philosophies 13: Shiela Woodward: Critical Matters in Early Childhood Music Education 14: Pamela Burnard: What Matters in General Music? 15: Lori-Anne Dolloff: Elementary Music: Building Cultures and Practices 16: Patricia O'Tooole: Why Don't I Feel Included in these Musics, or Matters 17: Kari K. Veblen: Community Music and Praxialism: Narratives and Reflections

Essays in this new book, written by a diverse group of internationally renowned music education scholars on a wide variety of contemporary music education topics, are carefully reasoned and well written. However, the real beauty of this collection of writings can be found in the diversity of perspectives and opinions presented...There is something for everyone in this book- those who identify with music education as aesthetic education, those who connect more closely with praxial philosophy, and those who may not have yet given formal music education philosophy a single thought. * Music Educators Journal *Praise for Music Matters "David J. Elliott's Music Matters: A New Philosophy of Music Education should prove to be a watershed in the history of our profession because the author dramatically takes issue with some of the most cherished assumptions of mainstream philosophy in music education today...This is a bold endeavor, and Elliott has written a bold book to back up his arguments...It should be read by all music educators.. * Music Educators Journal *...the real beauty of this collection of writings can be found in the diversity of perspectives and opinions presented.... he sets an impressive example for all of us by initiating and participating in real and meaningful dialogues among music educators in his book and accompanying Web site.... There is something for everyone in this book - those who identify with music education as aesthetic education, those who connect more closely with praxial philosophy, and those who may not have yet given formal music education philosophy a single thought. * Music Educators Journal *