Musical Futures and Irish primary schools: an investigation into the impact of informal learning and non-formal teaching on music education

Musical Futures is an approach to music education grounded in the principles of informal learning. Research has shown that Musical Futures has profoundly impacted teaching and learning in music, pupil engagement and educational strategies for music (Green, Lucy. 2002. How Popular Musicians Learn: A Way Ahead for Music Education. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2008b). This paper presents changes in music teaching and learning using Musical Futures approaches conducted in six primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Using Participatory Action Research, teachers (n = 7) and students (n = 137) engaged with Musical Futures from a period of ten to thirty weeks. Data collection instruments included: pre- and post-engagement semi-structured interviews with generalist teachers; focus group interviews with students; lesson observations; video recordings of lessons; researcher journaling; and teacher reflective notes. Building on the pilot study conducted in Ireland by (Moore, Gwen. 2019. "Musical Futures in Ireland: Findings from a Pilot Study in Primary and Secondary Schools." Music Education Research 21 (3): 243-256.), no study has examined the potential of the approach in this manner within the Irish primary context. Shifts in practice in music teaching and learning are examined from the teacher and student perspectives respectively, with findings indicating changes in the ownership of learning; assessment practices in music; and musical and extra-musical skill development. This paper proffers new perspectives into music teaching and learning, furthering the understanding of, and enhancing practice within the Irish primary generalist context.