Protocol for a scoping review on the contribution of music education to the development of the key competence in cultural awareness and expression in primary education

•First scoping review addressing music education's role in cultural competence.•Applies SPIDER and PRISMA methodologies for comprehensive analysis.•Supports competence-based education aligning with EU frameworks.•Aims to bridge research gaps in music education interventions. Music education in Primary Education in Spain is currently integrated into the curriculum with a focus on contributing to the development of key competences. One competence with a strong connection to the field of music is the key competence in cultural awareness and expression. However, this relationship is not adequately reflected in the interventions described in the available literature. This scoping review protocol aims to systematize information about the contributions of music education to the development of cultural awareness and expression competence. A systematic search of studies will be conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, complemented by reference lists of identified studies. The review will follow the methodological recommendations proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for scoping reviews and adhere to PRISMA guidelines. Literature review will be carried out by identifying population, concept, and context. For the extraction and analysis of qualitative studies, the SPIDER approach will be employed. This will be the first scoping review to explore how music education contributes to the development of the competence in cultural awareness and expression in Primary Education, potentially supporting cross-disciplinary educational practices that enhance competence development within music education.