Evaluation in Music Education in Greece

Abstract

This paper is about Evaluation in Music Education as it is practiced in Greece. First of all, views and examples of evaluation in music in the Greek context are presented, as well as comments about the content of music lessons in Greek secondary schools. Second, informed by Swanwick’s views on the parameters of music education (‘literature studies’, ‘skill acquisition’, ‘composition’, ‘audition’ and ‘performance’) and his Theory of Musical Development, relating to the four layers of musical knowledge development (‘materials’, ‘expression’, ‘form’ and ‘value’, a model is proposed for evaluating the process of learning in music. This model combines Swanwick’s four layers, with the three parameters considered most significant for the development of musical knowledge (‘composition’, ‘audition’ and ‘performance’). The model is believed to be applicable not only in the Greek context, but also in other contexts, since it is based on a theory already successfully tested internationally in different environments.