Research projects

Birmingham City University has a proud history of being at the cutting edge of research in music education. B-MERG brings multiple faculties together to research teaching and learning, pedagogy, classroom and school music learning, instrumental and vocal music tuition, formal and informal learning, and lifelong learning under one umbrella.

B-MERG has a broad remit, including the following:

  • To act as a forum for academic and practitioner research and activity in music education in all its forms
  • To develop work in key themes of local, national, and international interest in Music Education for researchers, teachers, parents, participants, communities, policy-makers and legislators.
  • To research and develop innovative ways of teaching and learning in music in all its forms.
  • To work with local, national, and international organisations to develop partnerships for research and activity in music education.
  • To provide a centre for research and ideas in music education.
  • To organise seminars and conferences concerned with Music Education

Projects 

From Conservatoire Student to Music Educator

The research explores how undergraduate conservatoire students can develop pedagogical knowledge. 

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OHMI Music-Makers WCET Programme.

The OHMI Music-Makers WCET Programme led by The OHMI Trust and funded by Arts Council England, has been active since 2...

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Birmingham Arts School Evaluation

Birmingham Art School (BAS) connects schools and arts organisations - including music , dance, theatre and visual arts ...

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Music Makers of the Future

Improving youth voice and youth-led approaches across Music Education Hubs in the West Midlands to increase engagement ...

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Creativity Collaboratives Billesley Primary School

Working with Billesley Primary School, the academic team will evaluate the Arts Council England Creativity Collaborati...

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Music teacher attitudes to assessment

Working with international partners to investigate what music teachers think is important in assessments.

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A Level music decline and disadvantage attainment gaps

Researchers in BMERG have been investigating the decline of young people choosing music as an A Level subject, and whe...

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Music Teaching Provision in Primary Schools

Exploring how schools interpret music education policy to assess the state of music education in primary schools.

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Re-thinking curricula: STEAM education from early years through to higher education

This project will explore the interaction between STEAM subjects and their inherent creativity to better understand th...

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Investigating how socio-economic background influences music students’ aspirations, sense of identity and belonging within UK conservatoires.

Responding the recorded lack of diversity in classical music education, this study aims to investigate the lived exper...

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Comparing composition teaching and learning in secondary school education in the UK and Germany

Comparing cultural differences and sharing best practice around the teaching of music composition in the UK and Germany...

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Musical Beacons

As a London-based music organisation expands its outreach, BCU has partnered with them to ensure their work - promotin...

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MEHEM UpRising!

Improving music activities to engage young people with special educational needs, and / or disabilities and enhancing t...

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Curriculum models in school practices

Understanding the impact of whole school curriculum models on music subject leader practices.

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Imagine Compose

Imagine Compose explored how groups of beginner instrumentalists up to Grade 3, can compose within a “Wider Opportunit...

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Through the Music Maze: Creative Composing for young children

This research will develop understandings of how to use repertoire as a stimulus that opens the composing horizons for...

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Birmingham Contemporary Music Group: Resolution project

Working with young people to create new music around the theme of auto-immune disease. 

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Teach Through Music

The evaluative report undertaken by Birmingham City University detailed a variety of perspectives on the Teach Through...

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Youth Music: Exchanging Notes

Can getting young people involved in musical activities help those at risk of low attainment or exclusion? 

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Just Play

Highlighting key themes in music education for young people

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Go Compose

Working in partnership with Sound and Music to understand more regarding musical learning through composing

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Voices Foundation Singing Schools Programme

Examining the impact the Singing School model has on the educational outcomes of children and young people

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Whole Class Ensemble Teaching Research Report

How successful is Whole Class Ensemble Teaching (WCET)?

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Arts Council England Music Education Hub data return analysis

Exploring the performance of music education hubs across the country

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AHRC Network - Representations of/in classical music

What does classical music mean to today's generation? 

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Evaluation of BBC Ten Pieces initiative

Sound Connections, a leading music charity based in London, approached BCU to act as the data analysis partner in an e...

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Art Prize for Schools External Project Evaluation

Raising awareness of the Deutsche Bank Art Prize for Schools

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Global music examinations

How do we asses music proficiency across the world? 

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Educational resilience through community arts education

Investigating the impact of community arts provision on educational resilience.

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Analysing accessible music education

Evaluating music education in projects with specialised instruments for those with upper-limb disabilities.

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Geographical and social demographic trends of A-level music students

Identifying regional contrasts in A-level music provision, and to understand the contexts within which the downturn in ...

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Listen Imagine Compose

The project seeks to address weaknesses in current secondary school music provision.

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Birmingham Music Education Partnership

Working with Birmingham Music Education Partnership to assess the music education pupils in primary and secondary scho...

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