The identification and analysis of factors related to participation in extra-curricular instrumental music programs

Hajek, Ewald (1973) The identification and analysis of factors related to participation in extra-curricular instrumental music programs. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Educators have become aware of the influence of various outside factors on instrumental programs in public schools. In this study four factors: Socio-economic level of parents, family background in music, interest of close friends in instrumental school music, and general music program in early grades were selected and their relationships to student participation in extra-curricular instrumental programs examined. The general purpose of this research was to identify and measure distinguishing characteristics of three groups of students: Non-participants, short-term, and long-term participants in existing instrumental programs. -- Eleven schools under the Roman Catholic School Board for St. John's, Newfoundland were chosen for this study. The sample used consisted of 162 boys and girls randomly selected from a group of 624 students. -- Six series of structured questions were used for gathering data from students and parents. Students were interviewed in school, while information was secured from parents by means or telephone interviews. -- The testing of the first hypothesis revealed a distinct positive relationship between socio-economic level of parents and student participation in extra-curricular instrumental programs. -- In testing the second hypothesis, it was found that (1) instrumental training of mothers, (2) instrumental training of fathers, (3) mothers' continued usage of instrumental skills, (4) fathers' continued usage of instrumental skills, (5) evidence of active instrumental musicianship over two generations, and (6) listening preference of family were positively associated with student participation in instrumental school programs. -- The testing of the third hypothesis revealed a cumulative effect of the factors socio-economic level of parents, family background in music, interest of close friends in instrumental school music, and general music program in early grades on participation in extra-curricular instrumental programs. -- In order to identify distinguishing characteristics of each participating group, profiles were constructed by listing high score percentages obtained on seven variables, following the inclusion of two additional variables: Encouragement received by students to join such programs, and exposure to musical training through private lessons. This resulted in the identification of several characteristics of each of the three groups. -- Multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine the relative effect of each independent variable on student participation in extra-curricular instrumental programs. It was found that the variable “General Music Program in Early Grades" was relatively unimportant, as a determinant of student participation. The findings indicated that the most important variables were “Interest of Close Friends in Instrumental School Music," and Encouragement Received by Students. -- The evidence gathered in this study strongly suggests that the home environment and the peer group are factors which greatly influence student behavior with regard to extra-curricular instrumental programs. Educators should therefore give the due amount of attention to the social environment to which prospective or active instrumental students are exposed. Several recommendations were made by the author.

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