Through Fifty Years: The Development of Music Education at the University of Reading 1949-1999: An Historian from within Comments

Abstract

The development of music education at the University of Reading is outlined, focusing upon: the pioneering work of Amold Bentley in the training of secondary school music teachers; the Schools Council Project, Music Education of Young Children, which endeavoured to undertake research to help teachers teach music more effectively; the establishment of the Music Education Centre, whose aim was to make an impact on music in pfimary and secondary schools through work with teachers; changes in the 1990s, reflecting local and national shifts in teacher education. Finally, conclusions are presented which suggest possible lines of enquiry for similar historical studies of musc education in university settings.