The Relationship between Musical Development and Social Inclusion in Small-Group Instrumental Teaching

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Relationship between Musical Development and Social Inclusion in Small-Group Instrumental Teaching
Language: English
Authors: Ida Knutsson (ORCID 0000-0002-6767-8137)
Source: Music Education Research. 2026 28(1):93-104.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Music Education, Musical Instruments, Small Group Instruction, Inclusion, Teacher Attitudes, Program Effectiveness, Sense of Belonging, Peer Teaching, Student Motivation
Geographic Terms: Sweden
DOI: 10.1080/14613808.2025.2573105
ISSN: 1461-3808
1469-9893
Abstract: Sweden's art and music schools (SAMS), established in the 1940s, provide affordable extra-curricular instrumental and singing teaching for every child, regardless of their family's financial situation. Tuition is heavily subsidised, with families contributing only some 7% of the cost. While SAMS traditionally offer one-to-one instruction, a recent governmental report (2016) advocates for group teaching, emphasising child-centeredness and social aspects; however, there are still concerns about the potential decline in musical proficiency. To better understand the complex factors that influence pupils' development and inclusion in group teaching contexts, I address teachers' perceptions of group teaching, seen through the theoretical lens of communities of musical practice, and a qualitative content analysis using the data from both a focus group interview study and a stimulated recall study with teachers and leaders at one SAMS. I have found that while teachers perceive musical development and social inclusion as distinct, they strive to integrate both in their teaching, with the argument that they can be mutually beneficial. The potential risks and benefits of the suggested strategies for differentiation must be considered, and each teacher's didactic choices are key for creating an optimal learning environment for all pupils.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505769
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1505769
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: The Relationship between Musical Development and Social Inclusion in Small-Group Instrumental Teaching
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ida+Knutsson%22">Ida Knutsson</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6767-8137">0000-0002-6767-8137</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Music+Education+Research%22"><i>Music Education Research</i></searchLink>. 2026 28(1):93-104.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 12
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Music+Education%22">Music Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Musical+Instruments%22">Musical Instruments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Small+Group+Instruction%22">Small Group Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Teaching%22">Peer Teaching</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sweden%22">Sweden</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1080/14613808.2025.2573105
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1461-3808<br />1469-9893
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Sweden's art and music schools (SAMS), established in the 1940s, provide affordable extra-curricular instrumental and singing teaching for every child, regardless of their family's financial situation. Tuition is heavily subsidised, with families contributing only some 7% of the cost. While SAMS traditionally offer one-to-one instruction, a recent governmental report (2016) advocates for group teaching, emphasising child-centeredness and social aspects; however, there are still concerns about the potential decline in musical proficiency. To better understand the complex factors that influence pupils' development and inclusion in group teaching contexts, I address teachers' perceptions of group teaching, seen through the theoretical lens of communities of musical practice, and a qualitative content analysis using the data from both a focus group interview study and a stimulated recall study with teachers and leaders at one SAMS. I have found that while teachers perceive musical development and social inclusion as distinct, they strive to integrate both in their teaching, with the argument that they can be mutually beneficial. The potential risks and benefits of the suggested strategies for differentiation must be considered, and each teacher's didactic choices are key for creating an optimal learning environment for all pupils.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1505769
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1505769
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/14613808.2025.2573105
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 93
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Music Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Musical Instruments
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Small Group Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inclusion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Teaching
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sweden
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Relationship between Musical Development and Social Inclusion in Small-Group Instrumental Teaching
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ida Knutsson
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1461-3808
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1469-9893
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 28
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Music Education Research
              Type: main
ResultId 1