A Fifty-Year Overview of Instrumental Music Programs in Victorian Government Secondary Schools: The more things change, the more they stay the same

The paper investigates the history of instrumental music programs in Victorian government secondary schools over a fifty-year period. These programs are investigated using archival material, State government documents and curriculum changes. Factors which impacted the transformation were government policy, societal trends, developments in the curriculum and policy reform. The study found that there was a demand for these programs despite the issues of costs, access and quality. It wasn’t until the government review into the status of music in Australian schools in 2005 that music programs could be discussed more holistically at a national level. This prompted a review into music education at the State level after the subsequent formation of the School Music Action Group. From this, there has been more awareness of the issues and the need for more support for instrumental music programs.