PUBLIC LECTURE: School of Music presents: Research Seminar Series - Andrew Sutherland

Principles for designing an effective, post-compulsory Music curriculum suitable for Western Australia.

A new post-compulsory Music course known as the West Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) Music course was recently introduced into Year 11 and 12 in Western Australian (WA) schools after a convoluted process of creation, and its implementation into classrooms has been problematic. Given criticism levelled at its process of creation and implementation, does the WACE Music course embody effective, recognised principles to support the effective teaching and learning of music? The aim of this study is to investigate the principles which should form the basis of an effective, post-compulsory music curriculum, suitable for WA. The study involved a literature review which seeks to produce a set of principles for teaching and learning frameworks based upon international best practice in music education, and applicable in the unique geographical, historical and multicultural WA context. In addition, the study employed a researcher-designed survey instrument to examine whether Western Australian music teachers perceived these principles to be evident in their practical experiences of the WACE music course. With the subsequent publishing of a draft Australian National Arts Curriculum, it is an appropriate time to review the principles which should underpin an effective Music curriculum for senior secondary students in the WA context.