ABSTRACT
Education for citizenship is concerned with participation, cooperation and competition, and the development of the social skills, values and attitudes which contribute to these. It requires children to know their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society, and to respect those of others. Music has always been an important link between school and community through concerts and shows. Plummeridge describes the social processes integral to both music and citizenship which are evident when children take part in a public performance: the artistic excitement and social cohesion that is generated pupils of different ages, abilities and backgrounds are working together in a cooperative manner and sharing a common commitment to the success of the venture. The Citizenship guidance document refers directly to music only in relation to the pluralist society, recognising the many different cultures within our society. Music in the National Curriculum concentrates largely on the Western symphonic tradition, however.
