Practitioners' views on cross-community music education projects in Northern Ireland: alienation, socio-economic factors and educational potential

Odena, O. (2010) Practitioners' views on cross-community music education projects in Northern Ireland: alienation, socio-economic factors and educational potential. British Educational Research Journal, 36(1), pp. 83-105. (doi: 10.1080/01411920902878909)

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Abstract

This article reports a qualitative investigation of the perceptions on cross‐community music education activities of 14 key practitioners with experience with the two main communities in Northern Ireland (NI), Protestant and Catholic. The segregation of the NI education system is outlined in the first section, which is followed by a review of literature, cross‐community projects, and the research methodology. Two hundred and sixteen pages of interview transcripts were analysed with NVivo. Interviewees reflected on current activities and on memories of their own experiences when younger, their fears and hopes. They explained how such projects are and have been organised in NI. The participants' perceptions are discussed, including their comments on ‘Project processes and effectiveness’, ‘Music education potential’ and ‘Music as a sign of identity’. The reported educational activities and aims vary depending on a number of factors, one of the most important being the level of acknowledgement of integration of the educational setting, which appears to be influenced by the socio‐economic environment. It is apparent that cross‐community music education projects have been and continue to be an effective means of addressing prejudice amongst young people. Nevertheless, the context of each educational setting delimits the potential of such projects. Educational implications are examined in the conclusion.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The study discussed in this article was funded by The Bernard van Leer Foundation.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Odena, Professor Oscar
Authors: Odena, O.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Robert Owen Centre
College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Journal Name:British Educational Research Journal
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0141-1926
ISSN (Online):1469-3518
Published Online:24 April 2009
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2009 The Author
First Published:First published in British Educational Research Journal 36(1):83-105
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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