A sociological inquiry into Maltese Music curricula

Abstract

This sociological study attempts to make sense of the perceptions of musicians on why classical music is chosen over other music genres within music curricula. The study discusses music elitism, as well as the way forms of music have been socially constructed throughout history. In order to carry out this study qualitative methodology was used, using semi-structured interviews as the primary research tool. Participant observation was also used to supplement the primary research method. The main findings point out that elitism justifies the place of classical music in music curricula. The data has shown that Western classical music is perceived through contradictory concepts, and also that Western classical music is not as elitist as one would think, as to some extent or another all music genres can be elitist in their own respect. Through such result this study tries to put forward the view that different genres of music are nothing more than social constructs which have been used to categorise different 'sound waves.' Classical music seems to be prominent within music education, primarily because of the elitism attached to it.