Children and Choice: Expanding music repertoire choices through consultation and participation beyond the school gates

The Music Education Program (Music Education Program) at the Australian National University has developed a new approach to music making focusing on the social benefits of shared musical engagement. The social, altruistic intent of the music making is based on aspects of the work of Dr. John Diamond (West, 2007) from outside the field of music education. Teachers and other adults are trained in the approach, which involves learning to make music in order to encourage music making in others. The basic philosophical position, or 'outreach principle' of the program is summarized as follows: I make music in order to encourage music making in others for the mutual benefit of all. The aim of the music making is directed, in the first instance, outwards from the individual towards others. In so doing, the focus is not on how individuals sing but why they sing - the emphasis is on the intent behind the singing, rather than on improving or judging the singing itself. Such a position is advantageous in particular for those who lack confidence in their musical identity and who therefore avoid music making with others. Lack of confidence and, indeed, decreasing confidence with training, are problems that beset classroom teachers, leading to lack of engagement or stressed engagement by teachers (Gifford, 1993; Richards, 1999).