Music education in social contexts – a study program

This article outlines the foundational considerations of the academic qualification‘Music Pedagogy in Social Work’ conceptualized and realized in Potsdam, Germany.Based on knowledge about possible benefits of cultural and musical education for theaims of social work, namely the empowerment of individuals, social participation andinclusion, the author specifies the needs and competences for professionalization inthis field. Examples from student and graduate experiences with musical education inkindergarten, youth clubs and other social institutions make clear the objective of thequalification. The importance of aesthetic experiences and aesthetic education in socialwork contexts constitute the theoretical framework for an interdisciplinary combinationof music education competencies with an academic qualification in social pedagogy.The evaluation of musical pedagogy in social contexts underlines the necessity of anartistic musical qualification as fundamental for successful implementation of musiceducation in the context of aesthetic and cultural education within social work.