A lifespan perspective on multi-professional musicians: does music education prepare classical musicians for their careers?. (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: López-Íñiguez, Guadalupe; Bennett, Dawn
• Is Part Of: Music education research. Volume 22:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: Career development -- curriculum development -- formative events -- learner identity -- selection -- optimisation and compensation (SOC) theory -- transferable skills; Music -- Instruction and study -- Periodicals; Music -- Instruction and study -- Research -- Periodicals; Musique -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Musique -- Étude et enseignement -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 780.72
• DOI: 10.1080/14613808.2019.1703925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-3808

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Many professional musicians would describe their careers as somewhat different to the careers they imagined when they were students. This study sought to understand the relationships between musicians' higher music education experiences and their professional work, and to expose the adaptive strategies they employ to sustain their work. The researchers amassed in-depth career narratives from eight musicians who were highly respected international performers. The musicians were also 'multi-professional' musicians in that they were recognised as highly proficient in multiple different roles. Narratives were analysed using selection, optimisation and compensation (SOC) theory. The results suggest that essential professional capabilities should be emphasised in the core curriculum of higher music education. A novel finding is that musicians who identify themselves as learners may be better able to create and sustain a career in music.