Advocacy for Music Education in Aotearoa

Article by Jeremy Winter, Linda Webb, Helen Willberg & Catherine Gibbs

We must advocate for music education because it matters. This article is an abridgement of a more comprehensive paper which gives, in greater detail, the backstory, referenced evidence and the bureaucratic roadblocks to overcome.

Hopefully it provides motivation to join forces with other national subject associations to gain ground from the growing dissatisfaction with the status quo amongst educationalists and observers. The full paper has ammunition for ongoing advocacy including links to international research on the value of music for the whole learner and examples of overseas music education strategies.

Let’s start by recognising and applauding the good things that are happening for music in schools, such as The Big Sing, Auckland Ukulele Trust, ASB PolyFest.