A worthy function for music in education

The evidence from many sources is unambiguous in that music is one of the most important elements in the life of all humans. Most people listen to music as opposed to performing music. Although there are societies where everyone participates in singing and dancing, music is mostly performed by a small elite often for the pleasure and enjoyment of the majority. In our schools the same applies. Only around 10 percent of any school population is involved in performing. Most people in our contemporary society enjoy music through listening. Music education focuses on performance and composition, and less on listening. A worthy function of music in education would acknowledge that listening is the musical involvement of the majority, and focus music education on developing intelligent and informed listeners. This would involve everyone educationally and ensure that when young people leave school they have real choices in music, rather than becoming unwitting fodder for high-pressure advertising.