Investigation of religious music structures in music programmes taught at high school level in Turkiye

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the place and forms of religious music in the curricula of ‘Music’ and ‘Religious Music’ courses in the types of educational institutions operating at the secondary education level throughout Turkey. In this direction, Turkish Music forms and Traditional Turkish Music forms were introduced in the study and information about religious music and religious music was given. According to the research questions determined based on the purpose of the study, the descriptive analysis method, which is among the qualitative research methods, was used for the analysis of the data. In the study, the curricula prepared by the Presidency of the Board of Education for the ‘Music’ and ‘Religious Music’ courses given in the types of educational institutions at the secondary education level were used. According to the findings obtained, the most striking point according to the types of educational institutions serving at the secondary education level is that the weekly hours of both ‘Music’ and ‘Religious Music’ courses are few, and the course is taught only at certain grade levels. When the curricula are analysed, it is determined that religious music forms are frequently included. Based on the results obtained regarding the education of religious music, which is an important tool in the transfer of Turkish culture, traditions and customs to future generations, suggestions are presented.