Music in Thursday Island Schools: Processes of Reciprocal Exchange

Abstract

This paper explores music teaching and learning as evidenced at Thursday Island State School and Thursday Island State High School. Based on a series of observations and interviews conducted with relevant school staff during 2002, it examines a number of significant issues: the multifaceted nature of the music programs offered; the potential for music to be an effective contributor to other learnings, such as literacy; the importance of community consultation and adherence to Torres Strait Island protocols in delivering music programs; and the development of culturally responsive pedagogies to facilitate learning. Each of these issues highlights the necessity of reciprocal exchange between the cultures of Island community and Western schooling structures in order for effective music teaching and learning to take place.

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