Motivations and expectations of higher popular music education in Scotland: Student perspectives

Abstract

This research investigates the motivations of students and their expectations of the aims and content of undergraduate popular music programmes in Scotland. With a particular interest in the pedagogical issues surrounding the familiar ideological debate in PME of ‘training versus education’, this work also further explores the connection between student perceptions of higher popular music education with their formative musical and social experiences. A variety of sociopolitical factors seem to be at play in the development of these expectations and motivations, which are often linked to students’ formative music education and social experiences. Findings further highlight a perception among students of a fundamental dichotomy between the music industries and music education, raising further questions of if, and how student attitudes should influence curricula design at both HE and secondary school-level going forward.