Classroom music teachers and the post-primary curriculum: the implications of recent research in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This paper is based on a five-year research project into the work of music teachers in Northern Ireland. It is concerned with the implications of the research for the curriculum. The results reveal a serious shortage of suitably qualified music teachers in the Province, and significant deficiencies in funding and facilities for the subject. They also reveal that many teachers doubt the value of their general classroom teaching, and prefer their extra-curricular activities. The author suggests that Music should become an option during Key Stage Three which schools would have to provide, and which motivated pupils could choose as an alternative to the other ‘Creative and Expressive’ subjects.