Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the relationship between music and institutions from various angles. The history of music education has only recently become a subject of sustained academic interest, despite its clear and lasting impact on how music is perceived in society. Beyond the shores of Great Britain and Ireland, institutions were increasingly needed to support Britain's status as an imperial power and the Victorian embrace of empire caused many 'libertarians' to modify their views, as they realised that 'laissez-faire' and imperialism were sometimes incompatible. Lisa Parker's examination of the work of Robert Prescott Stewart is a case study of how musicians sought to secure the recognition of the discipline of music as a taught subject in universities.