The underlying educational principles of the two Hong Kong earliest official primary music syllabuses

The first Hong Kong primary music syllabus came into being in 1968. The first ever official document is prepared by the Education Department. The 1968 Syllabus prepared for primary one to primary six was in a form of a handbook provided examples and suggestions in the training of rhythm, pitch, movement, sight reading. A list of songs and music for listening is also provided. The syllabus did not explicitly state its aims and objectives. After 8 years of implementation the second primary music syllabus replaced the first one in 1976. This syllabus prepared by the Curriculum Development Committee in part continued some of the principles and practice of the previous syllabus. Apart from some new elements it also included a general aim of the syllabus. But still the aims stated were rather general. The present paper aims to investigate and discuss the philosophy and educational principles implied behind these two syllabus as well as the change and continuity between these two syllabuses. Copyright © 2000 The Hong Kong Institute of Education.