The invitation to provide a review of the articles published in our five year editorship prompts us to evaluate the aims and purposes of music education research, and to consider the function of journals such as "BJME" in bridging the artificial divide between academics and professionals. We identify four themes that were prominent in the volumes we edited: the roles and identities of music teachers; pupil perspectives; blurring of boundaries between home, school and community; and music in higher education. Surveying articles related to these themes, we consider the questions they raise for future research, addressing the day-to-day realities of teaching alongside the exploration of new ideas which extend music education as a significant field of study.