SCHOOL PRINCIPALS' ATTITUDE TOWARD MUSIC EDUCATION IN LITHUANIA

The article discusses the approach of school principals towards the improvement issues of music education. The article analyses how school principals evaluate certain aspects related to music education in school. 160 principals from Lithuania and 7 from the USA participated in the research which revealed the conditions, provided to improve the learners' musical skills in extra-curricular activities. Musicianship in vocal ensembles is highlighted, as well as playing music in instrumental ensemble. The research ascertained if the schools devote sufficient amount of funds to equip music classrooms with teaching (learning) means and if school administration encourages and financially supports initiatives of music teachers in organizing school's musical life, and conditions created in the school ensure the responsibility of music teachers for the quality of music education. Music teaching (learning) in school is organized purposefully, with the aim to meet not only the learners' experience and skills, but also their dispositions. The financial base of the general education schools is similar: the insignificant abundance of instrument choice, but however, it is impossible to say that there are no instruments at all. The greater choice of instruments and their quality enables students to achieve better results and strengthens their motivation in the field of musicianship. Therefore, it is necessary for the school principals to support the idea of enriching the inventory of instruments, rather than devoting most of the funds for the implementation of technological innovations. (C) 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK