Review and analysis of the educational purposes of the official music curriculum for Hong Kong primary schools

This chapter is to review the current primary music curriculum by identifying and analyzing the different levels of educational purposes advocated by Posner (1995). The current primary music syllabus was developed by the Curriculum Development Committee (1987) of the Education Department. In order to explain the syllabus and suggest ways of teaching and assessing, the Music Section in the Advisory Inspectorate of Education Department (1993) has written a handbook for music teachers. This study reviews the current primary music curriculum based on these two official documents. A model of curriculum structure of educational purposes was derived for a comprehensive understanding of the official aims of the primary music education, as well as a provision of guidelines for music teachers in teaching. The following observations were made: the root of the aims in Primary music education is seen to be the musical experience; students should be involved in various identified musical experiences so that they could gain delight, satisfaction and enjoyment; the musical experience should be supported by an awareness of musical elements and knowledge; the ultimate goal of music education should be a further development in moral, health, intelligence, aesthetic, and social education including self-discipline, self-expression, concentration and co-ordination. Finally, a number of implications for improvements in teaching methods and activities, assessments, and music teacher education have been drawn for the future music curriculum development; suggestions for further research are also discussed. Copyright © 2000 The Hong Kong Institute of Education.