National Review of School Music Education - Murdoch Research ...

Executive Summary
This Review reports on how effectively Australian schools are providing music education. The key
areas for the Review are:
• The current quality and status of music education in Australian schools;
• Examples of effective or best practice in both Australia and overseas; and
• Key recommendations, priorities and principles arising from the first two aspects.
The Review was funded under the Australian Government Quality Outcomes Programme and was
prompted by a widespread recognition that music is an important part of every child’s education
and a general perception that Australian school music education is approaching a state of crisis.
In March 2004, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Minister for Education, Science and Training,
and Senator the Hon Rod Kemp, Minister for the Arts and Sport, announced the Review to
investigate the quality and status of music education in Australian schools. Its findings and
recommendations are of interest to a range of stakeholders in music, music education, arts
education and education generally.
Part 1: Introduction and scope of the Review
For the purpose of the Review:
School music is the totality of music learning and teaching experiences and opportunities
available in schools K–12.
The Review used a multi-method research strategy.
There are six sections to the Report of the Review. Part 1 is an Introduction. Part 2 provides an
informed context for the Review through a review of national and international literature. Part 3 is
a snapshot of school music education in contemporary Australia leading to Part 4 that outlines the
Guidelines for Effective Music Education developed by the Review. Part 5 identifies and discusses issues,
challenges and opportunities and generates strategic directions and recommended actions. Part 6
concludes the body of the Report looking forward to enhanced music education in schools. There
is also an extensive collection of Appendices with detailed information relevant to the Review.
Part 2: Contexts for the Review
The survey of international and local research literature on music education was a key research
strategy. The Literature Review highlighted a number of common themes that impact on the status
and quality of school music. These are picked up through the other research strategies of the
Review and directly influence the strategic directions and recommended actions outlined in Part 5.
They include:
• The context of the Arts as a learning area;
• The value of universal music education and community expectations and commitment to
it;
FINAL REPORT ix