This paper identifies the diverse aims of the formal music curriculum and compares them to teachers' perceptions of those aims. Data was collected by the authors through a questionnaire which was completed by 48.5% (n=203) of music teachers in the secondary schools in Hong Kong. Analysis of the results showed that the predominant view of the respondents regarding the aims of music education was that it would enable students to appreciate music. Further, musical experiences associated closely with listening were perceived to be more important than the other components of a balanced music curriculum, namely performance and composition.
