Music in Schools: The Importance of Meaningful Relationships in Music Education

Abstract

Having a love of music within my home environment and experience using music within educational settings, I decided to investigate the impact a school music programme could have on children. Through an ethnographic process, I observed the interactions between staff and students as they prepared for a concert. What became apparent during my observations was that it was not just the musical curricula or students’ proficiency with instruments that made effective programmes rather it was the interpersonal relationship between staff and students that allowed for an effective programme. By forming strong bonds through music, educators were able to create an environment where children, even those from disadvantaged backgrounds, felt empowered and issues such as behaviour management were lessened owing to the strong connections formed.