Sociological Aspects of Music Education in Higher Education in Brazil, Canada, Israel, Norway, and the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this study was to examine the sociological aspects of music education and perspectives of university music education professors in five continents in relation to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The concepts of community of practice and agency were used to investigate the social interaction, socialization, and collective impact of people and experiences observed in university-level music education in different parts of the world. As the global pandemic completely changed the conditions on university campuses and music education programs, each participant provided 1) an overview of the parameters of virtual and in-person instruction implemented by select institutions, 2) sociological aspects of music education in select institutions, and 3) the social, emotional, and mental health of students, faculty, and staff amidst the pandemic. As the conditions of the global pandemic had consequential impacts on music education programs at institutions of higher education in Brazil, Canada, Israel, Norway, and the United States, each university implemented varied models of instruction to address remote learning. Changes in conditions, circumstances, and sociological aspects of music education had an impact on the socialization, physical presence and interaction among, and social, emotional, and mental health of students, faculty, and staff. As social, emotional, and mental health were a concern, universities need to broaden the services available to students, faculty, and staff that will cultivate supportive environments of instruction, socialization, and communities of practice within music education departments and across the university