Music Pedagogy as an Aid to Integration? El Sistema-Inspired Music Activity in Two Swedish Preschools

Author
Gustavsson, H-O., Ehrlin, A.
Source
Early Child Development and Care, 188(2):183-194.
Year
2018

Purpose

The study investigates the experiences of kindergarten teachers and music teachers in a multicultural Swedish district when working with El Sistema-inspired activities. El Sistema is a music education programme that provides free classical music education to disadvantaged children. One of the goals is for children to escape poverty and alienation, thereby leading to individual and societal changes. The research questions are: 1) According to the teachers, what is the most significant aspect of working with El Sistema-inspired activities? 2) How is the activity’s focus on integration expressed?

Result

According to the teachers, the most significant aspect of working with El Sistema activities was that the pupils experienced enjoyment. The teachers also believed that the musical activities could serve as important integration tools because both the children and their parents were given an opportunity to integrate themselves into Swedish society. However, the researchers claim that the teachers’ argumentation to a certain extent promotes assimilation rather than integration, where Swedishness becomes a prerequisite for a functioning social community.

Design

The study is based on semi-structured interviews involving four kindergarten teachers at two different kindergartens, and four music teachers at the municipal music school in a multicultural district of Eskilstuna, Sweden. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a qualitative analysis method.

References

Gustavsson, H-O. & Ehrlin, A. (2018). "Music Pedagogy as an Aid to Integration? El Sistema-Inspired Music Activity in Two Swedish Preschools". Early Child Development and Care, 188(2):183-194.