The Research

Studies exploring the impact of Musical Futures

The impact of Musical Futures on the educational landscape has been significant around the world. Research papers and publications to assess the impact of the Musical Futures approach have been carried out internationally.

1. Bespflug, K. (2011). “Musical Futures comes to Canada: engaging students in real-world music learning.” The Canadian Music Educator, 53(2), 25.
2. Chua, S. L., & Ho, H. P. (2017). “Towards 21st-century music teaching-learning: Reflections on student-centric pedagogic practices involving popular music in Singapore.” In The Routledge Research Companion to Popular Music Education (pp. 87–99). Routledge.
3. Downey, J. (2009). “Informal learning in music in the Irish secondary school context.” Action, Criticism & Theory for Music Education, 8(2).
4. Gubbins, E. (2023). “Musical Futures as critical pedagogy: Participatory case study research with generalist primary school teachers in the Republic of Ireland.” [Thesis]
5. Gubbins, E. (2023). “Musical Futures and Irish primary schools: an investigation into the impact of informal learning and non-formal teaching on music education.” Irish Educational Studies, 1–22. (PDF 5.5MB)
6. Hallam, S., Creech, A., & McQueen, H. (2011). Musical Futures: A Case Study Investigation. Final report from Institute of Education, University of London for the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Institute of Education, University of London.
7. Hallam, S., Creech, A., & McQueen, H. (2017). “Teachers’ perceptions of the impact on students of the Musical Futures approach.” Music Education Research, 19(3), 263–275.
8. Isbell, D. S. (2018). “Music educators consider Musical Futures: professional development in the United Kingdom.” Contributions to Music Education, 43, 39–58.
9. Jeanneret, N. (2010). “Musical Futures in Victoria.” Australian Journal of Music Education, (2), 148–164. (PDF 130KB)
10. Jeanneret, N., McLennan, R., & Stevens-Ballenger, J. (2011). “Musical Futures: An Australian perspective. Findings from a Victorian pilot study.”
11. Jeanneret, N., & Wilson, E. (2016). “Musical futures and informal music pedagogy: Historical perspectives and factors of success.” In 21st Century Music Education: Informal Learning and Non-Formal Teaching Approaches in School and Community Contexts. CMEA/ACME National Office.
12. Mariguddi, A., & Cain, T. (2022). “Research-informed teaching: The case of Musical Futures.” British Educational Research Journal, 48(3), 519–535.
13. Moore, G. (2019). “Musical Futures in Ireland: findings from a pilot study in primary and secondary schools.” Music Education Research, 21(3), 243–256.
14. Narita, F. M. (2014). “Music, informal learning, and the distance education of teachers in Brazil: a self-study action research project in search of conscientization.” Doctoral dissertation, Institute of Education, University of London. (PDF 3.2MB)
15. Rodrigues, F. M. (2014). “Informal practices in a formal context of musical education: an experience report.” Relevance and Reform in the Education of Professional Musicians, 109.
16. Wang, A., & McPhail, G. (2024). “Musical Futures in New Zealand: A study in recontextualisation.” International Journal of Music Education, 42(1), 125–138.
17. Wright, R. (2011). “Musical Futures: A new approach to music education.” Canadian Music Educator, 53(2), 19–21.
18. Wright, R., et al. (2012). “Tuning into the future: sharing initial insights about the 2012 Musical Futures pilot project in Ontario.” The Canadian Music Educator, 53(4), 14.