The landscape of music education in the UK is constantly shifting and developing. This book provides a timely and unique overview of this restless sector by considering the achievements of music education, analysing its current performance and setting out aspirations for the future. "Music Education in the 21st Century in the United Kingdom" addresses the power of music to influence and change human behaviour, analyses current and future issues in music education and casts a spotlight on particular areas of education, including early years, the primary school, the secondary school, further education, universities and conservatoires, music services, the music studio and the role of music leaders and community musicians. Written by experts in the field of music education, the book provides an authoritative account of the current status of music education in the UK. While essential to understand the current and future context in the UK, the book will be invaluable to those involved in music education internationally, as it includes chapters on the provision of music education for all children, listening, the role of singing, playing an instrument, creativity, the role of technology, issues of performance and assessment, learning through the lifespan and the initial and ongoing education of music teachers. It also includes a range of case study examples and evaluations of practice. The book is a landmark publication in the field of music education and will be essential reading for policy-makers, practitioners, music students, trainee music teachers and those who provide music services in the UK and internationally. This book contains three parts. Part I, "Introduction", contains: (1) The power of music: its impact on the intellectual, personal and social development of children and young people (Susan Hallam); and (2) Contextualising music education in the UK (Pauline Adams, Hilary McQueen, and Susan Hallam). Part 2, "Current Issues in Music Education", contains: (3) Music for all (Graham Welch and Adam Ockelford); (4) Listening (Susan Hallam); (5) The role of singing (Jo Saunders, Maria Varvarigou and Graham Welch); (6) Learning to play an instrument (Susan Hallam and Andrea Creech); (7) Creativity (Susan Hallam and Lynne Rogers); (8) The role of technology (Evangelos Himonides and Ross Purves); (9) Issues of assessment and performance (Ioulia Papageorgi and Susan Hallam); (10) Learning through life (Hilary McQueen and Maria Varvarigou); and (11) The initial and ongoing education of music teachers (Colin Durrant and Kate Laurence). Part 3, "Contexts of Learning", contains: (12) Music in the early years (Andrea Creech and Jessica Ellison); (13) Music in the primary school (Jessica Ellison and Andrea Creech); (14) Music in the secondary school (Hilary McQueen and Susan Hallam); (15) Music in further education colleges (John Conlon and Lynne Rogers); (16) Music in universities and conservatoires (Helena Gaunt and Ioulia Papageorgi); (17) Music Services (Lynne Rogers and Susan Hallam); (18) The music studio (Andrea Creech); (19) The role of music leaders and community musicians (Andrea Creech); and (20) Where now? (Susan Hallam and Andrea Creech). This book also contains: Acknowledgements; Preface; Notes on contributors; and Index.