EXPERIENCING AND LEARNING MALAYSIAN TRADITIONAL MUSIC: PERSPECTIVES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

This paper explores the views of students in Malaysian public secondary schools on Malaysian traditional music. Using the survey method, this study investigates the students’ engagement with Malaysian traditional music, their perspective on the value of Malaysian traditional music, and their suggestions for what schools should teach them about Malaysian traditional music. The findings reveal the importance of integrating traditional music into secondary school curricula, not only to preserve Malaysia’s cultural identity but also to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation among the younger generation. Findings highlight the positive perceptions of secondary students towards singing, playing and listening to Malaysian traditional music whereby a majority of the students strongly agreed that traditional music should be included in the school curriculum and taught in school. The students also expressed interest in learning how to sing traditional songs and how to play traditional musical instruments. Findings also highlight the important role music education plays in the cultural preservation of Malaysian musics in that including traditional music into the school curriculum will ensure the young generation will learn and not forget about their origins. Implications for curriculum design, pedagogy, and cultural preservation efforts in Malaysian secondary education are included. Keywords: Malaysian Secondary School Students, Malaysian traditional music, music education, student perspectives, cultural preservation.