Rural Music Education in China: Perceptions of Music Educators in Henan Province

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Inquiry in Music Education Settings (Table 4)

Abstract

This study investigated the perception and experiences of rural music educators in Henan Province, China. Through interviewing four music educators in Ren County (a pseudonym
), it explored the values of general music education and revealed students’ music learning experiences in rural schools. Findings suggested that with the current emphasis on aesthetic education, rural music education is increasingly important both in national policy and at the county level, but it remains vulnerable within the school community due to the unchanged test-oriented education system in China. All participants acknowledged music education’s benefits, especially for rural “left-behind” children. This research reflected the entrenched challenges in rural music education in Ren County while also indicating positive trends for future development.

Author

• Zhilin Zhang, University of Rochester