The research group HEI focuses instrumental, vocal and ensemble teaching in municipal music and art schools, leisure music, upper secondary schools and higher music education. In this, various approaches, individual and collective processes, institutions, disciplines and subjects are crucial aspects. The work in the research group has so far included investigating and documenting a diversity of instrumental, vocal and ensemble teaching practises, through articles, artistic research and teaching books. 

Members of the research group are from NTNU, Department of Music and Department of Teacher Education, Trondheim Music and Art School, Wind bands, Church musicians and Trondheim Sinfonietta. The group is led by professor emerita Wenche Waagen and associate professor Trine Knutsen, both from NTNU, Dept. Music. The research group HEI was established in relatin to university music and art school project (UniKuP, 2022–2024). Throughout the academic year 2024–2025, seminars in the research group will take place from 10-1130, the last Thursday in each month. The research group HEI is open to employees and students, and is a place to thematize and discuss research and development of instrumental, vocal and ensemble pedagogical practice. Contact Wenche Waagen if you would like to join in.

The following projects are central as of May 2024:
Sub-project 1: Organ training with the service as a community of practice
Sub-project 2: Hearing-based approach to classical music education
Sub-project 3: Master's meetings on piano - new concert formats
Sub-project 4: The music communication subject in higher education - an entrepreneurship subject
Part project 5: The book Instrumental training: between beginner and professional, to be published in the summer of 2024 (Eds: Waagen, Hamnes & Angelo, Vigmostad og Bjørke)