The Regionalization of the Music Education Curriculumin the 2nd Cycle of Basic Education on Madeira Island

Abstract

This article focuses on the Regionalization of the Music Education Curriculum in 2nd “Ciclo de Educação Básica” in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM). It documents its conception and implementation process since its beginning, while seeking to understand the perspectives of its protagonists about its advantages and disadvantages and obstacles it came across, its non-compulsory character, its possible function of promoting cultural and regional affirmation, as well as its future challenges, amongst other relevant matters. The article begins by problematizing the concept of curriculum,
curricular regionalization, and Music Education, followed by the empirical section. The methods used were documentary analysis of legal documents mostly, and interviews to six of the protagonists involved in the implementation of this project in Madeira. This case study is important to stimulate reflection and debate on a possible replication or dissemination of analogous curricular regionalization processes to other regions or to Portugal.