Music teacher attitudes toward popular music education

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes, values, and beliefs of New York music teachers towards the inclusion of popular music in the classroom. This research was guided by the following questions: 1) To what extent are K-12 teachers interested in teaching a variety of popular music instruments and styles? 2) What attitudes and beliefs do music teachers express about popular music education? 3) What popular music approaches are used most frequently by music teachers? and 4) What are the opportunities or barriers associated with popular music classes and ensembles in school settings? Survey respondents (N = 120), all of whom were members of the New York State School Music Association in the United States, showed strong support for the inclusion of popular music education in school programmes, with approximately 75 per cent of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that popular music instruments and repertoire should be included in K-12 schools.