ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book investigates the identity of music through its relationship with British universities in the nineteenth century, tracing the shape of music degrees and teaching as the art sought to become established as an academic subject. It provides a different context, concerned equally with social as well as academic status, and with more firmly established traditions and academic ideals. The book traces later developments in ideas of musical education and accreditation, the foundation of degrees in 1893, and debates over the University's potential role in, or as, a Scottish school of music. The 'problem' of music in academia becomes clear when the contexts of educational institution, class, profession and practice are considered together. The universities worked to traditional structures and strict institutional hierarchies based on the liberal educational ideal.
