AHOMINGS Research Project - PDF Free Download

WHY I LOVE MUSIC? the amazing power it has on our students AHOMINGS Research Project Brad Merrick - PhD bmmerrick@icloud.com @bradmerrick www.bradmerrick.com Online Survey - Anonymous 1475 participants Undertaken across 25 South Australian Independent Schools

Survey Design

Why Music? What makes them engaged? Practice Parents Teachers Connection Environment Friends Ensembles

Putting the ensemble together The performers Their roles and the parts they played Experience Age Instruments Practice Their journey Ensembles and passion How did they learn their instrument? Influences

The year levels of the students Q3 What is your current year level? Answered: 1,459 Skipped: 16 year 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 7 8 9 10 11 12

The ages of the participants Q2 Please select your age below. Answered: 1,457 Skipped: 18 age 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total age 18.74% 19.15% 18.81% 18.46% 13.93% 10.43% 0.48% 273 279 274 269 203 152 7 1,457

Range of Instruments Answer Choices Flute Oboe Clarinet Saxophone Bassoon Tuba Trombone Baritone French Horn Trumpet Violin Viola Cello Double Bass Electric bass Guitar Drumkit Percussion Voice Piano Instrument from a culture (eg, Ukelele, Recorder, Accordian) Other (please specify) Responses 11.59% 171 0.61% 9 9.69% 143 13.29% 196 0.68% 10 0.27% 4 5.83% 86 0.47% 7 1.76% 26 8.68% 128 9.49% 140 2.03% 30 4.61% 68 1.08% 16 4.34% 64 18.58% 274 9.83% 145 6.98% 103 35.19% 519 36.75% 542 6.24% 92 6.17% 91

Where are they learning music? Type of lesson At school Outside of school Self taught Total Instrument 1 78.66% 15.26% 6.09% 1,124 218 87 1,429 Instrument 2 48.02% 23.95% 28.02% 389 194 227 810 Instrument 3 33.82% 18.50% 47.69% 117 64 165 346

How many hours of practice the students do outside of school Q8 Outside of school, how many hours of private instrumental practice would you do every week? Answered: 1,475 Skipped: 0 < 1 hr 1-2 hrs 2-4 hrs 4-6 hrs 7 hrs or more 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Answer Choices < 1 hr 1-2 hrs 2-4 hrs 4-6 hrs 7 hrs or more Responses 24.88% 367 32.34% 477 24.95% 368 12.88% 190 4.95% 73 Total 1,475

The range of ensembles the students are performing inmate their schools Q9 What co-curricular ensembles are you currently performing in at your school? Answered: 1,475 Skipped: 0 Wind Bands Concert Bands Stage Bands Choirs Orchestras String Ensembles Percussion Ensembles Rock Bands Other 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Answer Choices Wind Bands Concert Bands Stage Bands Choirs Orchestras String Ensembles Percussion Ensembles Rock Bands Other Responses 8.00% 118 44.14% 651 27.53% 406 45.08% 665 13.15% 194 12.81% 189 5.22% 77 11.80% 174 5.08% 75 Total Respondents: 1,475

The factors that influence their involvement Has an influence Yes No Total The social interaction The performance opportunities The conductor The size of the ensemble The rehearsal times The quality of the musicians of Influence 89.52% 1,042 87.40% 1,013 75.61% 871 50.13% 575 69.60% 799 80.64% 929 10.48% 122 1,164 12.60% 146 1,159 24.39% 281 1,152 49.87% 572 1,147 30.40% 349 1,148 19.36% 223 1,152 High influence Some influence Hardly any influence No influence at all Total The social interaction 38.92% 49.07% 6.44% 5.56% 441 556 73 63 1,133 The performance opportunities 45.17% 39.42% 8.86% 6.55% 510 445 100 74 1,129 The conductor 36.31% 38.05% 14.51% 11.13% 398 417 159 122 1,096 The size of the ensemble 12.89% 34.57% 24.74% 27.79% 135 362 259 291 1,047 The rehearsal times 29.69% 36.08% 17.11% 17.11% 321 390 185 185 1,081

Emotional - Social Growth The hidden and important dimensions that emerged are so important in the lives of all students.

The unseen reasons behind their love of making music Q12 Which of the following factors contribute to your own personal growth, while also allowing you to develop your leadership and cooperative skills? of contribution Yes No Total The opportunity to work with like minded peers and teachers The chance to assist with and contribute to the organisation of events The responsibility that I am offered in my ensemble role The profile that being involved provides in the school The profile that being involved offers beyond my school The regular feedback, affirmation and interaction that making music offers 90.39% 1,054 62.99% 720 83.84% 965 71.73% 812 64.98% 733 80.82% 923 9.61% 112 1,166 37.01% 423 1,143 16.16% 186 1,151 28.27% 320 1,132 35.02% 395 1,128 19.18% 219 1,142

The personal-social-emotional factors that are so important Pure love of the music and enjoyment of playing has a very high influence I enjoy it. I find it enjoyable learning and being able to play music. I find it relaxing and feels like I can accomplish things. My love of music the community Everyone being good in playing their instrument in the band, makes me want to be as good too. Being in a friendly environment where live music is played continuously and made by a range of different musicians Being in an environment in which I am surrounded by live music all the time the influence from my family seeing as they love listening to the music I play Being able to enjoy and have fun during the time I spend at ensemble.

Love of making music Q17 My level of engagement in co-curricular music is due to my love of 'making music'. Answered: 874 Skipped: 601 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 2.86% 2.63% 2.52% 2.29% 4.69% 8.24% 7.55% 12.47% 15.79% 15.90% 25.06% 25 23 22 20 41 72 66 109 138 139 219 874 7.27

Personal enjoyment Q22 I find that performing on an instrument, either solo or in an ensemble provides me with a high level of enjoyment. Answered: 867 Skipped: 608 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 3.00% 1.61% 0.92% 2.19% 3.23% 6.11% 6.46% 11.65% 16.49% 18.11% 30.22% 26 14 8 19 28 53 56 101 143 157 262 867 8.71

The impact of music of their quality of life Q23 I feel that my participation in cocurricular music contributes to my quality of life. Answered: 870 Skipped: 605 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 4.37% 2.30% 2.07% 3.45% 6.21% 9.54% 8.39% 12.53% 14.71% 13.68% 22.76% 38 20 18 30 54 83 73 109 128 119 198 870 7.96

Contribution of music to their well-being Q24 I feel that my participation in cocurricular music contributes to my overall sense of well-being. Answered: 869 Skipped: 606 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 4.49% 1.96% 2.19% 3.11% 4.95% 10.82% 10.24% 14.04% 16.11% 12.31% 19.79% 39 17 19 27 43 94 89 122 140 107 172 869 6.87

Does playing music impact other things they do at school? Q28 I feel that my participation in cocurricular music takes precious time away from doing other things both at school and outside of school. Answered: 869 Skipped: 606 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 12.20% 10.01% 10.59% 12.43% 7.71% 11.39% 7.36% 7.83% 7.25% 4.37% 8.86% 106 87 92 108 67 99 64 68 63 38 77 869 4.41

The factors that intersect with their love of making music and are significant statistically 17. My level of engagement in co-curricular music is due to my love of 'making music'. Quality of Life 0.617 <.001 Wellbeing 0.613 <.001 Enjoyment 0.548 <.001 Identity 0.566 <.001 Confidence 0.515 <.001

And the biggest and most powerful correlation Music contributes to my overall sense of wellbeing Music contributes to the quality of my life 0.866 P.<0001

How do they feel about themselves? Really - key indicators are Key factors Quality of Life Wellbeing My level of engagement in co-curricular music is due to my love of 'making music'. 0.617 0.613 I can connect with others who have similar interests 0.670 0.625 because it gives me self-confidence 0.590 0.601 provides me with a high level of enjoyment. 0.634 0.589 music contributes to my overall identity 0.749 0.781 help me to be organised for other aspects of my schoolwork 0.570 0.578 provided me with the opportunity to develop leadership skills. 0.604 0.614 p<.001 for all of these correlations

Managing the team Motivating the band Influencing their gigs and performances Their lifelong passion Perception of their teachers Perceptions of their parents Playing music throughout their lives

Q32 I feel that the facilities and learning environment in the Music Department at my school supports my involvement in cocurricular music. Answered: 866 Skipped: 609 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 0.46% 0.92% 1.73% 1.39% 3.23% 7.85% 5.20% 9.93% 15.47% 20.09% 33.72% 4 8 15 12 28 68 45 86 134 174 292 866 8.03

Q33 I feel that the music staff encourage me to actively participate in co-curricular music. Answered: 867 Skipped: 608 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 0.81% 0.92% 1.27% 1.61% 2.42% 4.04% 5.42% 8.19% 14.07% 18.11% 43.14% 7 8 11 14 21 35 47 71 122 157 374 867 8.35

Q34 Overall, I feel that the music staff and ensemble directors have high expectations when it comes to making music. Answered: 863 Skipped: 612 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 0.23% 0.70% 0.35% 1.39% 3.36% 5.56% 7.53% 11.82% 21.90% 18.31% 28.85% 2 6 3 12 29 48 65 102 189 158 249 863 8.03

Q37 I feel that my parents are really supportive of my involvement in cocurricular music. Answered: 864 Skipped: 611 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Weighted Average 0.81% 1.62% 0.93% 1.85% 1.74% 5.56% 4.28% 8.56% 14.24% 16.44% 43.98% 7 14 8 16 15 48 37 74 123 142 380 864 8.31

AHOMINGS - Music Co Curricular Study 2017 Q43 I would like to continue playing music after I have left school. Answered: 860 Skipped: 615 Choice 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Yes No Yes No Total Respondents Choice 86.63% 745 14.88% 128 860

Co-curricular events in the year of Popularity 5 4 3 2 1 Total Music Camp 41.17% 19.84% 15.22% 6.11% 17.66% 303 146 112 45 130 736 ABODA 15.22% 19.72% 25.00% 11.49% 28.57% 98 127 161 74 184 644 Eistedfodds 8.95% 12.11% 22.28% 12.63% 44.04% 51 69 127 72 251 570 Productions/Musicals 46.89% 21.08% 13.11% 8.11% 10.81% 347 156 97 60 80 740 Showcase events 33.51% 30.29% 20.51% 7.10% 8.58% 250 226 153 53 64 746 Ensembles specific nights eg Vocal/String 26.88% 26.21% 24.33% 9.95% 12.63% 200 195 181 74 94 744 Music Tours 35.17% 19.67% 16.69% 9.99% 18.48% 236 132 112 67 124 671 Open Days 14.60% 15.22% 25.62% 17.24% 27.33% 94 98 165 111 176 644 Others included Generations in Jazz

Some comments from your performers I think that being able to express yourself is something I find difficult, but through music I find it so easy to do so, and I love seeing how much I have grown and matured as a musician and the idea of applying what I have learnt with my experiences and to be able to learn from different people about how I can further improve the way I play is very important. I love the freedom, yet the logical way music works, and the beautiful feeling of the finished product of a polished performance. Music is about connecting with others, joining together as a team and playing amazing music for people to enjoy and love. AHOMINGS - Music Co Curricular Study 2017 i love the feeling of creating sound in an ensemble. Music is part of who i am its taught me confidence, teamwork, leadership. Music is a way to express inner feelings that you cant always describe, which is why it is so important to me.

Personal, Emotional, Relaxing, Transformative AHOMINGS - Music Co Curricular Study 2017 I enjoy music so much because it is personal. Everyone can someway or another connect to music - connect to a song lyric can connect to a choir piece. Music is the only thing that stays when everything else is gone and being part of something so special at the school means so much. I love the ability to play music that has a direct emotional effect on others so I can see how it affects them. I have a strong interest in psychology, so this works for me. I also like the feeling of relaxation playing music gives me- as someone who is quite busy with extra events, I really need this time. I enjoy music because it is a way to express myself and sometimes a way to just enter a different world and leave the one i'm in