Listening to Students through their Musical Preferences: Dialogical Gatherings, an Opportunity for Critical Music Education.

This paper investigates the impact of the introduction in Primary and Secondary Education of a musical repertoire based on the musical preferences of the students. Starting from a socio-critical position and through an interpretative methodological process by means of a multi-case study, the aim is to analyse how the implementation of dialogical music gatherings affects classroom dynamics and whether this didactic strategy can facilitate a change towards a critical music education. Six cases are studied in six schools, both primary and secondary. The information was obtained from focus groups with students and researchers, research diaries, playlists and conversations held on a social network. After analysing the data, the focus is on a) what the students listen to and how this shapes their identity; b) the topics discussed after listening; c) the educational changes after the implementation of the tertulias and their strengths; and d) the difficulties encountered. This study is in line with some of the findings of previous research and can help teachers and researchers to open up more democratic, open, committed, reflective and critical educational-musical scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]