The ancient Greeks, particularly Plato and Aristotle, expressed themselves specifically and at length concerning the powers of music. The constitutions of Athens and Sparta treated of musical usage. Early Christian writers have been concerned about the use of music and its place in the lives of converts and in the liturgy. Dictatorships, both fascist and communist, in the twentieth century have attempted to control the musical activities of their citizens. Much has been written recently on the effects of rock music on both body and spirit among the youth of today.
Music therapy is a new but growing area in the professional use of music.
There is little wonder then that the Church is interested in the use of music by its members and in liturgical worship, and music educators must face up to the results that the teaching of music to young people produce in them spiritually and culturally. No one can tell another what he must accept as good music, good art or good literature. Rather, a teacher must lead the student to discover for himself what is best by experiencing a wide variety of materials over a period of time. It is one thing for a church or school to be financially unable to provide a full-time trained music specialist. But it is another thing to prevent students from gaining broad musical experience by limiting them to a few songs from one book.