A Comparative Analysis of Instrumental Teaching Provision in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Denmark

This study is a comparative analysis of the provision for instrumental teaching in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Denmark. It attempts to redress the lack of research on this subject in the Republic of Ireland by examining European systems of music education and comparing the results with instrumental teaching provision in the Republic of Ireland. Chapter 1 comprises an overview of music education in the Republic of Ireland today. It consists of an examination of the value of music education and the value of music performance. Its significance in the Irish education system is gauged by a survey of music in primary and post-primary schools, and an assessment of levels of participation in the post-primary music examinations. Its economic significance as part of the cultural industries and its social significance as a leisure activity is also addressed. Chapter 1 also contains a brief summary of recent educational research in Great Britain. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 comprise statistical analyses of instrumental teaching provision in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Denmark. Chapter 6 consists of a comparative analysis of the results of the survey and an examination of the implications of this study for the future of instrumental teaching provision in the Republic of Ireland. Groups that participated in the study are listed in the appendices, which include the bibliography, questionnaire, interview questions and an overview of some specialist music schools in the Republic of Ireland which receive state funding, and selected interview transcript