ACQUIRING MUSICAL SKILLS THROUGH PRACTICAL MUSIC EDUCATION: A STUDY OF SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN AWKA

Abstract

This study examined how practical music education could engender skill acquisition in children. The idea was borne out of the need to make music more engaging, interesting, and fulfilling to pupils against the backdrop of prevalent disinterest in music in schools occasioned by dysfunctional music education. Eight primary schools in Awka metropolis were studied which included forty pupils and eight music teachers. Primary data for the research were sourced through Questionnaires and interviews. Pertinent issues examined included, the status of music education in some primary schools of Anambra state, and how practical music education could foster musical skills in children. Findings show that music studies as encapsulated in Cultural & Creative Arts(CCA) curriculum for primary schools is deficient, there are not enough music teachers in the primary schools, skills acquired through music can easily be transferred to other beneficial skills later in life. It is recommended that music be extricated from the shackles of CCA in order to place it in proper perspective to foster a fulfilling music experience for children. More music teachers should be employed to curb the threat of extinction of music in primary schools, and finally the curriculum of music studies of primary schools should be restructured to integrate more practical music in order to yield more skill acquisition for children.