Research in music education and related topics has a long tradition in Scandinavia. This article gives an overview of research in music education, with emphasis on the years 1990-2002. Research is related to four major issues: The characteristics and musical development of children, youth, and adults; how social variables, especially gender, are present in some educational settings; how music is taught and studied in educational institutions, from pre-school to tertiary education in academies; and how research has addressed basic issues in music education, i.e. 'What is music education?' and 'What is music education research?', as well as 'What is the relationship between research and practice?' Copyright © 2004 Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research.