In 2020, the global pandemic impacted all aspects of life, including higher education. Many universities shifted their programs from face-to-face to online teaching and learning. In this paper, I draw on an autoethnographic narrative to share my story of working in initial teacher education programs as tertiary music educator at a metropolitan…

This article explores the impact of the 2020 Melbourne lockdown on the creative experiences of pre-service teachers in an arts education course. It focuses specifically on the music compositions of three students. The face-to-face course was delivered in online mode due to the lockdown restrictions in Victoria imposed by the government in response…

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of Victorian education and has dramatically affected the practical experience of pre-service teachers (PST) throughout Melbourne. This self-study will reflect on the obstacles and opportunities I experienced during an online practicum, and discuss the complex challenges associated with the unexpected…

The paper investigates the history of instrumental music programs in Victorian Government secondary schools over a 50-year period. These programs were researched using archival materials, State government documents and curriculum changes. Factors which impacted the transformation were government policy, societal trends, developments in the…

This article is a discussion about music education for preservice generalist teachers. Three central themes are explored with a focus on music; arts education as praxis, creative process engagement, and teaching and learning in the performing arts. In writing about these themes, questions arose about the essence of learning in the arts. The…

This paper explores the importance and effects of parents' and teachers' attitudes on students' academic performance in music. To this end, the research literature on the effects of parental and teacher behaviour on the behaviour of their children and students is reviewed, focusing on parents' and teachers' emotional skills. The review looks at…

Primary classroom teachers can play a vital role in the music education of primary school students, providing a basis for lifelong learning in music and the arts. Research shows that not all Victorian primary school students have equitable access to music education and that the role of the classroom teacher becomes valuable in supplying or…

Monday 23 March 2020 was suddenly the last day for term one, four days early. I had hoped we would be back in the classroom early in Term 2. However, I had to learn how to teach online and navigate software programs. This paper is an account of my experiences.

This article explores the relationship between Melbourne's live music scene and how it contributes to being an informed educator with value to bring to the classroom. Through a personal response, a snapshot of the present conditions is described and the importance of the live music experience is detailed.

This paper reflects the challenges and opportunities created by teaching and learning music remotely, due to the impact of COVID-19, for students and teachers living in regional areas of Australia. How teachers can collaborate with students to build positive outcomes by providing creative opportunities and presenting and promoting diversity while…

As a response to the ban on singing and playing woodwind and brass instruments, and with the heightened exposure of Auslan interpreters in the media due to COVID reporting, many music teachers considered Auslan choirs to be a safe singing-replacement activity for end-of-year performances. Auslan holds deep cultural significance to the Deaf…

The paper outlines some of the challenges and successes experienced by music teachers during the 112-day COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne during 2020, using the experiences of music staff at Scotch College, Melbourne, as a case study.

Success in music theory studies appears to be simply a matter of learning the rules and applying them. This is not the case with aural skills, which include labelling a scale played on piano, or writing a rhythm heard on a drum. Student success in aural tasks is not always consistent, and the student skill seems to fade over time if there is no…

Charles Darwin University (CDU) offers education courses for students who want to teach in Australian schools. The university is unique due to its geographic location, proximity to Asia and its high Indigenous population compared to the rest of the country. Many courses are offered fully online including music education for pre-service teachers.…

The Australian Government has recently introduced a national based curriculum, known as The Australian Curriculum. This new curriculum is intended to provide quality education for all students (Australian Curriculum, Reporting and Assessment Authority, [ACARA], 2013). This article considers some of the possible implications of the Australian…