Music teachers' professional competences: Opinions of a sample of teachers

This study presents the opinions of a large sample of Catalan music teachers in primary and secondary education in relation to the competences considered necessary to successfully develop their professional activity. Based on a previous research study determining the desirable competences of music teachers (Carrillo & Vilar, 2009), a questionnaire was designed in order to collect the opinion of a cross section of music educators from Catalonia (Spain) in relation to different aspects of the above-mentioned competences, including: their importance for the development of teachers professional activity, their use in teaching practice, and the preparation received in their initial training. The opinions of the music teachers' made it possible to gain further insights into their views about the perceived difficulties and limitations in their teaching practice. This paper makes recommendations for improving both their training and their professional activity.