The Development of the Concept of Music Education in Estonian Kindergartens, 1905-2008 : a Historical–Critical Overview

The dissertation focuses on the development of music education in Estonian kindergartens and the factors influencing it, analysed in the historical perspective relying on post-positivist paradigm. The study is based on the factors and subjects’ views on kindergarten music education from 1905 to 2008, recorded in written sources or ascertained by means of questionnaire and interview. The dissertation deals with music’s functions, music education in retrospective, factors influencing child’s musical aptitude and development and teacher’s role in it through the prism of history. The formation of Estonian kindergarten music education and the phenomenon of its development have been researched by stages: the first manifestations of music in kindergarten in 1905 - 1940; the formation of the concept of music education in 1941 - 1967 and the application of a unified system in 1968 - 1990. The work also outlines innovative trends in music education at the end of the last millennium and the beginning of this century, in 1991 - 2008. The study relies on a combined design and an analysis of historical archival material and empirical data. The empirical part of the study is based on the questionnaire (n=183) and interviews (n=18) carried out with kindergarten music teachers. The data has been analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The subject of the research is the content and activity types of kindergarten music education and the role of music teacher in their implementation. The study confirmed that fundamental changes took place in Estonian kindergarten music education due to the change in political power in the 1940s. Following the example of the Soviet system of education, music in kindergarten became an independent music educational orientation and the position of a professionally trained music teacher was established (1947). It was also confirmed that in the newly independent Estonian Republic under the influence of innovative trends a new paradigm of music education arose from the traditional singing-centred education towards the more balanced use of music activity types (attaching importance to the child-centred approach, an increase in the number and variety of activity types). The most important conclusions made in the dissertation are that there has been improvement and development deriving from contemporary trends in the clear concept that has evolved in Estonian kindergarten music education over a century; professionally trained music teachers have had a crucial role in shaping it; and kindergarten music education is firmly positioned as a part of preschool education in Estonian system of education. Key words: early childhood music education, history of music education, kindergarten music education, early childhood music teachers

Exterior of the A. Godshaw Jewelry Store; Welwyn Garden City.

The store moved to larger quarters in the 1990s.

"It makes you think anything is possible”: Representing diversity in music theory pedagogy

This paper critiques a traditional approach to music theory pedagogy. It argues that music theory courses should draw on pedagogies that reflect the diversity and pluralism inherent in 21st century music making. It presents the findings of an action research project investigating the experiences of undergraduate students undertaking an innovative contemporary art music theory course. It describes the students’ struggle in coming to terms with a course that integrated composing, performing, listening and analysing coupled with what for many was their first exposure to the diversity of contemporary art music. The paper concludes with suggesting that the approach could be adopted more widely throughout music programs.

Exterior of the A. Godshaw Jewelry Store; Welwyn Garden City.

The store moved to larger quarters in the 1990s.

Exterior view of store J. Meyerhof am Platze; Hildesheim, Germany.

The photograph was taken in the late 19th century or early 20th century before the streetcar tracks were laid and a third floor added to the store. Members of the Meyerhof family lived in the 3rd floor apartment. Note the faces of the seamstresses on the second floor who were producing sheets, etc.

Therese Mayerhof nee Molling with Joel, Ilse, Adolf, Grete, and Leopold Meyerhof on rooftop of store and residence Meyerhof am Platze; Hildesheim, Germany.

From left to right, standing: Ilse, Adolf, Grete and Lepold Meyerhof; from left to right, sitting: Joel Meyerhof and Therese Mayerhof nee Molling

Crowd lined up in the street for the going-out-of-business sale at Meyerhof am Platze Store; Hildesheim, Germany. Business Establishments; Stores

Loaned for duplication by Renate Feuchtwanger

Exterior view of store J. Meyerhof am Platze; Hildesheim, Germany.

The photograph was taken in the late 19th century or early 20th century before the streetcar tracks were laid and a third floor added to the store. Members of the Meyerhof family lived in the 3rd floor apartment. Note the faces of the seamstresses on the second floor who were producing sheets, etc.

Implementing music therapy on an adolescent inpatient unit: A mixed-methods evaluation of acceptability, experience of participation and perceived impact

Objective: We aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering a music therapy program on adolescent psychiatric wards. Method: We undertook a mixed-methods evaluation of a pilot program. Various active and receptive techniques were employed in group music therapy sessions delivered as part of a structured clinical program. Data collected in interviews with participants and staff and feedback questionnaires were thematically and descriptively analysed and triangulated. Results: Data from 62 questionnaires returned by 43 patients who took part in 16 music therapy sessions, and seven staff, evidenced strong support for music therapy. Patients typically reported experiencing sessions as relaxing, comforting, uplifting, and empowering; >90% would participate by choice and use music therapeutically in the future. Staff endorsed music therapy as valuable therapeutically, reporting that patients engaged enthusiastically and identified sessions as improving their own moods and ward milieu. Conclusions: Integration of music therapy in inpatient treatment of adolescents is feasible and acceptable, and is valued by staff and patients as a complement to ‘talking therapies’. Participation is enjoyed and associated with outcomes including improvement in mood, expression of feelings and social engagement consistent with recovery.

Therese Molling with Joel, Ilse, Adolf, Grete, and Leopold Meyerhof on rooftop of store and residence Meyerhof am Platze; Hildesheim, Germany.

From left to right, standing: Ilse, Adolf, Grete and Lepold Meyerhof; from left to right, sitting: Joel Meyerhof and Therese Molling

Friedrich Bergammer (Fritz Glueckselig) standing in the doorway of the gallery store M. Glueckselig & Son; 108 East 57th Street, New York Portraits Men

Digital Image

Yasha and Riva outside their lighting store; Martin Luter Strasse, Berlin Portraits Couples

Relatives of the Judey-Barosin and Finkel families

View of Muensterstrasse including Erich Gustav Baum's haberdashery store (Waesche Baum); Rheine i.W. Portraits Family

The shop was shut down by the Nazis several times during the 1930s

Grete Baum nee Dublon assisting a customer in her husband Erich Gustav Baum's haberdashery store (Waesche Baum); Muensterstrasse, Rheine i.W. Portraits Family

The shop was shut down by the Nazis several times during the 1930s