Singing, Listening, and Playing as Resources for Young People
Over the last two decades, there has been considerable growth in research on the value of engaging in music-related activities for cognition, health, and well-being in general, and particularly for the cognitive development, health and well-being of young people. A series of studies has been conducted in Salzburg to explore the value of singing, listening activities, and participating in musical activities in supporting young people. The results suggest that music activities may provide benefits for young people. However, classical and elitist art forms can only be accessed and appreciated by a limited group, making them exclusive and sometimes even provoking rejection. Furthermore, substantial heterogeneity exists in the current evidence: reports include both positive and negative responses and vary considerably in their specific content. The aim of this presentation is to reflect on the available evidence concerning music-related activities in young people and to outline possible alternative approaches for the future.
Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring
Austria
Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring is currently a Senior Researcher in the Inter-University Organization Arts and Knowledges, University of Salzburg / Mozarteum University Salzburg and at the Department of Art History, Musicology and Dance Studies at the University of Salzburg. She studied music pedagogy, music therapy, violin and music and movement pedagogy in Poland and Austria, received her doctorate in Musicology at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and habilitated in Systematic Musicology at the University of Salzburg. She is director of the Salzburg Institute for Arts in Medicine (SIAM) and co-chair of the International Network for the Critical Appraisal of Arts and Health Research. Psychophysiological, socio-psychological and aesthetic issues of music and arts with special reference to vulnerable groups, such as children and young people with mental illnesses or older people with neurodegenerative diseases are in the centre of her research interests. She is a fellow of Salzburg Global, Health Program.
What is Quality?
In her Quality Development & Learning role, Mairéad works with Music Development Officers and Musician Educators across the country, facilitating a focus on deepening the understanding of quality in every music-making experience with children and young people. Her presentation will introduce Music Generation to the YAM network, sharing how Music Generation approaches 'what is quality?' in performance music education.
Mairéad Duffy
Ireland
Mairéad Duffy is part of the Quality Development & Learning team of the National Development Office of Music Generation.
Music Generation is Ireland's national performance music education programme, whose mission is to empower children and young people through access to, and participation in, high quality performance music education. Mairéad has over twenty years experience as Head of Music in a secondary school in Co. Tyrone and over thirty years as an experienced choral and musical director.
As a creative Mairéad released her debut album 'Silver Tin House' in 2016. She has received airplay on BBC Radio Ulster and has travelled to Berlin as a Culture Moves Europe recipient, exploring looping and effects in live performance on Irish Harp and voice. Her most recent work is a suite of music 'Come with me, my love', celebrating St. Brigid. A performance of this work was broadcast on national television in February 2025.