Transforming higher education in South Africa through the creation of a music industry related Baccalaureate

[摘要] This study has endeavoured to establish how the creation of a music industry (MI) relatedbaccalaureate could transform higher music education (HME) in South Africa (SA) to betterprepare graduates for jobs in the MI. The project set out to meet its objectives through a sixphaseprocess, as follows:(I) In the first phase, a background study was conducted to determine the prevalenceof MI qualifications. The size of the creative industry and its employment trends,opportunities and capacity were determined. Finally, trends in creative educationand education, in general, were established.(II) In the second phase, the curriculum was defined, various curriculum developmentand design methodologies were scrutinised, prominent educational reforms wereinterrogated, the South African educational structures were reviewed and highermusic educational pathways, structures and trends were investigated.(III) In the third phase, different music industry degrees, hosted at universitiesinternationally, were inspected and reviewed to establish the content, assessment,outcomes, aims, rules of engagement, module distribution, articulation andgenerally to determine how these qualifications are constructed.(IV) In the fourth phase, a needs assessment was conducted, in which I assembled andinterviewed a group of 10 leading South African music industry stakeholders. In theinterview process, I undertook to determine if a need exists for a music industrydegree for the South African context, the needs of the South African music industryand the transformative value of such a qualification for students, the business andmusic education (ME).(V) Following from the findings of phases I-IV, I designed a curriculum framework basedon research conducted and suggestions offered by the stakeholder group.(VI) In the sixth phase, an additional group of South African music industry insiders wasinterviewed to gain further comments on the form and structure of the framework,and to establish if, in their expert opinions, the curriculum designed would have atransformative effect on ME, graduates and the music industry in South Africa.Finally, based on the research conducted and stakeholder groups consulted,conclusions and recommendations were made.The designed framework was created to inspire discussion regarding the introduction of MIeducation in SA and may result in the creation of an MI related qualification.Various elements of the framework aimed specifically to encourage transformation, open upHME to a broader audience and better prepare graduates for non-performing careers in music.These may be summarised as follows:(a) As the qualification is not strictly a music qualification, the lowering of the barrier toentry is justifiable, as students do not require prior access to a formal ME which willmake the programme more accessible than typical degrees in music, to a moresignificant and diverse number of students, ensuring the future sustainability of musicdepartments.(b) The practical application of work taught in class, through interventions such asinternships, will give students access to interactions with music students and the musicprofession, allowing them to gain a greater understanding of the interdisciplinary natureof the industry. This practical application will instil in them the ability to be adaptableand flexible in this continually evolving industry and will improve their chances of findinggainful employment which will also result in a dynamic and flexible curriculum that willremain in tune with current developments, because of its consistent interaction with theMI.(c) By having access to entrepreneurial and humanities training, students will be able tobetter lead the industry, by identifying gaps in the market, establishing structures todeal with these gaps, generating more significant employment opportunities and havingaccess to a more profound depth of knowledge, allowing them to be more creative.(d) Finally, students will have access to music creation modules, giving them a betterunderstanding of the music creation process, facilitating communication between theindustry and creatives, allowing for the creation of more internationally competitiveoutput and individuals who are more invested in promoting musicians' creative output.Based on the above and through a process of consultation with the two sample groups, it wasconcluded that the introduction of an MI related baccalaureate at SA universities might have atransformative effect on HME, the MI and graduates seeking employment.

[发布机构] University of the Free State