Abstract:
This comparative study of the bandsman curricula of the Royal Thai
Military schools of music aims to investigate the context of structures, similarities,
differences, trends and directions in each curriculum. This qualitative research
employs content analysis as a comparative research methodology. The findings of
this study illustrate the diversity of the curriculum framework of the bandsman
curriculum in military schools of music.
The results show that there are similarities in student’s qualifications and
education length in the Army and Navy Schools of Music, and differences in the
Air Force School of Music. Furthermore, the curriculum structures of these three
institutes have three common basic components: music courses, military training
and general education.
This study provides an example of comparative music education research in
the music discipline. The study collates and analyses the relevant information for
developing western music curricula in the military schools of music and in
Thailand’s higher education generally in the future.