Appendix 6 - International Music Council

Concerts in Schools
Rikskonsertene organizes concerts in schools specially designed for specific age groups.
Usually, concerts take place during school hours and last 40 minutes. Concerts are
explained by a moderator. Prior to the concert, schools receive detailed information, which
helps teachers to prepare the concert in class and discuss it afterwards. Sometimes pupils
participate in the music making. At times, there is a music festival for children. There is
also a similar program for younger children.
EXAMPLE 8: GREAT BRITAIN
There is no single education system for music in the UK this each nation control its own
educational system. There are, however, similarities. The National Curriculum for England
established in 1990 is a legal document and its implementation is rigorously inspected by
government through the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED). Still the quality of
music education depends greatly on the abilities of individual schools.
In the domain of practical music lessons the private sector serves as a significant
factor, especially in large cities.
The general structure and content of the curriculum for schools in all nations is largely
shared (comp. www.nc.uk.net,
www.ltscotland.org.uk/5to14/guidelines/index.asp, www.accac.org.uk,
www.ccea.org.uk)
Nursery
Music from 3-5 in nursery education is part of 'creative development' (see
www.qca.org.uk/ages3- 14/downloads/fs_cg_creative.pdf). Schooling is not compulsory for
this age group but increasingly encouraged. Nurseries are regulated as part of the school
system and can be either private or attached to state schools.
Primary schools
In primary schools music is compulsory for all children from 5–14. The focus is on
creative, practical music making taught in mixed ability classes, including students with
special educational needs. The expectation is of approximately one hour of music per week,
and teaching is organised on the principle of the class teacher who teaches the whole
curriculum. As a result, most music teaching in primary schools is provided by non
specialist teachers. Individual schools may employ a specialist to lead the subject. The
same teachers are also responsible for the extended curriculum which takes place in and
around the normal timetable: e.g. choir, recorder groups, orchestra, drumming groups, steel
pans. These activities may be entirely voluntary, but there is increasing support and funding
for musical activity of this kind as it is recognised that music can raise confidence, engage
disaffected students, increase motivation and enhance behaviour and achievement
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