Music education is a compulsory subject in the first three grades of elementary school in all european conutries. This paper presents the organization of music education in eleven European countries (Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, Finland, Ireland and England). Music education is presented according to following characteristics: the organization of the education system, what is the timetable provided for music education, is that subject independent or a part of wider area, what areas of study are present in that subject, objectives and tasks of the music education, who is a teacher of music and their education. The analysis of the pedagogical documentation brings us to the conclusion that in the most countries music education is an independent subject taught for one or two hours per week. Primary education teachers are the most common type of teacher in music education with exception of specialized teachers and professional musicians in some countries. In almost all countries the music education is based on a model of active music making.