Piers Spencer and William Salaman edited the" BJME" between 1998 and 2002. During this period, a number of articles they published gave positive accounts of developments in instrumental teaching and learning, composing and creative music-making, and the increasing role of technology. Less happy findings emerged from investigations into singing and vocal work, into culture and the promotion of equal opportunities, and into the way the "official" curriculum seemed to be increasingly at odds with students' experience of music outside schools. During his period as editor, Piers Spencer worked in a variety of institutions and his personal experience told him that, despite the highly critical tone of some contributions, there remains cause for optimism about the future of musical education, both in the UK and internationally.