The Status of Music Education in Haiti in the 21st Century

ABSTRACTThe primary purpose of this study was to examine Haiti's music education system with respect to status, means of learning, teaching practices, music materials, and cultural influences. A secondary purpose was to examine the perceptions and values of administrators, teachers, students, and parents regarding these music education programs and their needs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data using a web-based survey and semi-structured interviews. The research questions were: 1) What are the different music education programs offered by community music schools, academic K-12 (public and private) schools, universities, and the community in Haiti? 2)What teaching methods, learning strategies, music repertoire, and materials comprise the Haitian music education curriculum? 3)How does Haiti’s overall societal culture impact the status of music education in Haiti? 4)How do students, teachers, administrators, and parents perceive the current state of music education programs in their country and any needed changes for improvement? Haitian music education programs that appeared in the 21st century covered almost all ten departments (regions), with a greater concentration in the West, North, Southeast, Artibonite, and Nippes regions. Music programs were lacking in academic K-12 schools and rural areas. Music courses offered, included bands, string programs, and music theory. Private instruction was also available on all Western instruments. Various teaching techniques were used in the programs, but a lack of structure was evident. Western music and religious hymns were frequently used, but there was a lack of culturally relevant didactic materials. Based on the participants' perspectives, music education in Haiti is motivated primarily by extrinsic interests such as social and therapeutic benefits. According to the participants, Haitian music education should be valued more highly in the 21st century and improved. Findings reveal that music education plays a significant role in Haiti.

INDEX WORDS: Haiti; Haitian Music; Haitian Music education, Music education in Caribbean countries, French Caribbean music education, Societal culture and music education, Folk Religion, Haitian culture and music education, Haitian folk music, jazz music in Caribbean countries, and Afro-Caribbean music education