Children’s Ethnic Identities, Cultural Diversity, and Music Education

Abstract

Cultural diversity impacts the development and construction of social and musical identities across the lifespan, in a wide range of contexts, including educational settings. This chapter focuses on the development and construction of social and musical identities in childhood through the lens of ethnicity and cultural diversity. The chapter begins with a brief review of select theories of social identity and ethnic identity development, and their connections with childhood musical experiences. The next section brings forward a discussion on musical experiences of ethnic minority groups, including immigrants and refugees. The third and final section outlines the relationship between music education, cultural diversity, and identity construction. It also raises questions concerning the role of music in the promotion of cultural understanding and multi-ethnic integration.

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