ABSTRACT
This chapter examines research related to family support of musical outcomes. Researchers identified various musical home environment components that are used in models of family support in education and in music. Benefits, parental roles and the impact of family musical background were influential in early childhood music learning, while family support, school and community influences were found to be influential in school-based music learning, and the nature of family influences changed as students matured. Lifespan influences related to musical socialisation, including behavioural, cognitive and personal support, were found to influence ongoing music performance outcomes and musical career decision-making. Family influences were also related to adult music activity and intergenerational music participation, adult music learning and musical interests. Teacher attitudes about encouraging family support of music study were mixed, with some teachers more strongly encouraging strong musical home environments than others. School-based family music support was related to school values and practices, parental motivational beliefs about their own efficacy and parental impressions about music and its importance.
