What do we mean when we talk about music literacy? Is it the ability to analyse a Haydn score, or the ability to use Logic Pro X to produce a dance track? Both examples might be considered music literacies, ways of understanding and communicating through music.
In July 2024, in Cambridge, the Society for Music Analysis (SMA) hosted the First Summit on Music Literacy, aiming to share ideas on how to improve music literacy. The Summit convened educators, experts and policymakers from across the music industry to discuss the state of music literacy in the UK and globally.
The Society's focus is on music theory and analysis, and in recent years it has expressed concern that skills such as notation reading and harmonic analysis are increasingly absent from those entering higher education within the British education system, forcing institutions to adjust their courses to accommodate lower literacy rates, according to recent research (McQueen and Cavett, 2024). Indeed, the Society's recent study found that opportunities to engage with traditional music literacy were often hindered by a lack of resources, in addition to views among teachers and students that traditional literacies were at odds with other aspects of the musical experience such as enjoyment, practical music-making and creativity (idem.).
Register now to continue reading
Register to the Music Teacher website today to read more of the latest news and developments from the world of music education.
You’ll receive:
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
