"Fake it till you make it" : how do kindergarten staff in kindergartens with a music profile talk about their musical identity?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the musical identity among adults working in kindergartens with a music profile. The intention is to find aspects that might have transfer value towards other kindergartens and not the least the ECEC-education system when it comes to the music curriculum. The need for this study is based on a decrease in the presence of music both in the ECEC-education and in kindergartens. We interviewed 8 staff members in a well reputed music kindergarten in Norway and asked them about their musical identity. Results indicate that separately they – in terms of kindergarten staff – hold a quite average view on themselves as musically capable and thus have – as most kindergarten staff in Norway – a rather negative musical identity. However, together as a staff, their musical identity is quite the opposite. The adult companionship in the music making in this kindergarten is astonishing comprehensive and marks a pronounced distinction from the average kindergarten, where the refrain is that the adults are scared to sing in front of each other.