In-Voice: Portugal
The Portuguese Association for Music Education (APEM) is a non-profit cultural and professional association with status of public utility declared by the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic and is an ISME (International Society for Music Education – UNESCO) affiliate. APEM was founded in 1972 and currently has 800 associates. Since 2009, APEM has a Training Centre specialized in professional development training directed to music teachers.
APEM developed an unique project in Portugal, called Cantar Mais (Sing More), a free online platform (www.cantarmais.pt) that provides a wide range of songs (portuguese traditional songs, ancient music, songs from countries that have Portuguese as the official language, authored songs, traditional Portuguese genres fado and cante, musical theater songs and song cycles) with original arrangements and orchestrations supported by online pedagogical resources and tutorials.
APEM’s main objective is the development and improvement of musical education, both as an integral part of human formation and social life as well as an essential component in specialized musical training.
Its main aims are:
- To contribute to the professional improvement of music educators;
- To examine the national problems of music education through research and practical action in order to collaborate and have a strong voice and presence with regards to the going reforms aimed at raising the level of education and its progressive decentralization;
- To stimulate the coordination of the various sectors of activity with an impact on musical education;
- To disseminate knowledge of new principles and techniques of music education and, to this end, promote contacts and collaborations at a European and international level.
