Preservice Music Teacher Education: The View From 20 Years Later

Abstract

The purpose of this inquiry was to describe the preservice music teacher education perceptions of 10 experienced music teachers who had participated in studies of teacher education 10 and 20 years ago. Data included written responses and two individual interviews. The first four themes show participants’ reactions to the past and suggestions for the future in the areas of musicianship, fieldwork, student teaching, and detracking of curricula. Changing expectations of themselves in their teaching over the years included a focus on process, relationships, and well-being. The final theme, thoughts on change in music teacher education, provides combined general perceptions from participants about preservice music teacher education over the past 20 years. A discussion with connection to current preservice music teacher education literature is included after each theme.