Τhis study examines the declining engagement of adults with the arts, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a new audience through comprehensive music education for elementary-age children. The research investigates the inclusion of opera in the curriculum of Albanian music education, using a mixed-methodology approach. A critical content analysis was conducted on educational packages, combined with a survey distributed to music educators in grades five to nine in Albania. The research focuses on the "Come Sing with Us" program, which took place in December 2017. A content analysis of educational packages was conducted, combined with a questionnaire administered to 30 music educators of middle school grades (5th to 9th) in Albania. The questionnaire included questions about the extent of opera integration into teaching practices, motivations and barriers to its implementation, as well as their personal experiences and perceptions regarding its use in the classroom. Results from 30 teachers indicated that more than half do not incorporate opera into their curricula, primarily due to a lack of time during the school year. In contrast, music teachers who include opera in their teaching report its effectiveness in facilitating the learning of both musical and non-musical subjects. Their positive attitude is largely attributed to experiences gained from the "Come Sing with Us" program, which has engaged 2,800 children since 2017. This initiative aims to improve music education by providing guidance from opera choristers and allowing students to learn various operatic works, such as “Va, Pensiero” from Nabucco; "La Traviata," "Tosca," "La Bohème," "Turandot," "O cielo," by G. Puccini; "Carmina Burana," "O Fortuna," by C. Orff; and the opera “Scanderbeg” by P. Jakova. The findings highlight the need for developing strategies to encourage the integration of opera into music education, emphasizing its multifaceted benefits for student engagement and learning.

• Meaningful musical experiences

Eliona Lici Currently serves as lecturer for Music in Education and Special education, Departament of Education, School of Humanities, University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali” (Albania) & University of Arts (Tirana). She has a doctoral degree (Music Education in Albania in first half of 20-th Century” She holds Master of Arts in Performance (Canto) from Faculty of Music, University if Arts (Tirana), and a short specialization in (Music Education Vs Music Therapy). Lici Teach in field of Applied Music Pedagogy, Music in Special Education, Development of Music Curricula. Her literary activities include the Academic textbook Monograph “Music Pedagogy in Albania (1878-1945)”. Dr. Lici is part of Scientific Committee of Conference organized by the Musicology and Cultural Heritage Students Association of the University of Pavia. For 2 Years Mrs. Lici was for two years National Coordinator of Albania in European Association for Music in Schools. Also she is interested for the European Integration through Music Cultures and Education. Lici actually is trainer of Continuing professional development in Music education Creativity for music teacher, Primary, Pre-primary and Special educators.