Current preservice teacher education students are tomorrow's teachers and what they believe about the priority and challenges of music education in elementary schools is important, as it will impact on their attitudes and practice when they are teaching in schools. This study examines the state of primary music education and investigates the perceptions of almost 1000 preservice teachers from five countries in relation to the priorities and challenges associated with teaching music in elementary schools. Challenges identified included teachers' lack of musical experience; the low priority given to music in schools; the lack of resources, time to teach music, subject knowledge and adequate preparation time. This study highlights the need for a higher priority for, and more experience in music education in both preservice teacher education and in primary school classrooms. (Contains 6 tables.)