The purpose of this study is to elucidate features of the Curriculum of “Fushizukuri” Music Education in Furukawa Elementary School, Gifu prefecture. In 1996, “Fushizukuri” was initiated in Furukawa Elementary School as a pilot school program of Gifu prefecture. After the end of the program, this method has been further developed. The “Fushizukuri” curriculum, named “Fushizukuri ipponmichi”, was elaborated on by all the teachers of the school, led by the chief music teacher, Toshihiro Yamazaki, under the educational policy of the head teacher, Ichiro Nakaya. This curriculum is comprised of 30 phases and 102 steps. The music lessons were composed of the “Nihondate” approach: gradual improvement of fundamental musical competency based on “Fushizukuri ipponmichi” and learning music as material. This approach implements two kinds of activities in parallel to a music lesson.
Activity-A: In order to enrich the students’ activities, it derives musical potential from students and teaching of singing, music appreciation and playing instruments.
Activity-B: To systematically teach fundamental competency for engaging in musical activities in step with the development of students. This curriculum is a landmark system aiming at systematic acquisition of music competency while maintaining music appreciation. Listening ability, musical sense and musical memory developed in activity-B enable comparison or analysis and distinguish different tones and kinds of music. Then, music knowledge, musical skills and fundamental musical competency obtained from the learning experience in the “Fushizukuri” is applied into learning by teaching material as activity-A. It enables students to realize and evaluate tone and music. All these lessons were implemented based on the students’ autonomy and cooperation with others. The features of “Fushizukuri” are consideration of autonomy, enhancement of self-esteem and the feeling of fulfi llment. Particularly, they enjoyed improved self-worth/self-efficacy, acceptance of others and self-determination with music. Therefore, “Fushizukuri” is an impressive and meaningful music lesson for students.