A Comparative Study of Gifted Music Programs in Malaysia: The Impact on Tertiary Music Education and Talent Development

Abstract

This article uses data generated from interviews with three music education practitioners in Malaysia to compare two music education institutions: the Muzik Permata Seni and the Sekolah Seni Malaysia. In so doing, it aims to evaluate the impact of these programs on tertiary music education within Malaysia. Grounded Theory was employed to develop a preliminary theory based on previous research conducted on gifted music students at Sultan Idris Education University in Perak, Malaysia. By employing a similar case sampling approach, this project extends the theory’s transferability to other locations in Malaysia. This article focuses on both understanding the environment in which young musicians in Malaysia grow and identifying factors crucial for their talent development. Additionally, it explores the professional developmental paths available to young musicians in the country. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on nurturing musical talent and can serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders seeking to improve the standards of music education in Malaysia.