Chipo & Mwila Article
Chipo & Mwila Article
Chipo & Mwila Article
www.allsubjectjournal.com
ISSN Online: 2349-4182 ISSN Print: 2349-5979
Received: 17-05-2023, Accepted: 01-06-2023, Published: 17-06-2023
Volume 10, Issue 6, 2023, Page No. 41-48
Music education context as determinant of students’ participation in high school music programs:
Basis for a music
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of students’ participation in high school music programs as a basis
for proposing a music program framework. This study was done in order to confirm the observed general low participation in
music programs and suggest a solution thereof. A total of n = 289 participants, 128 males and 161 females, aged 15 to 19
years, sampled through stratified random sampling, drawn from three purposively selected public Zambian high schools were
used in this study. Predictive-correlational research design was used for aligning the study. The study was influenced by the
activity and socio-cognitive theory. The results indicate: low use of music technology, high quality of music programs, strong
peer influence in music, strong family support, strong perceived benefits of music and a low participation in music programs.
Peer influence, music technology, family income and age predicted participation in music programs (p < 0.001). The
implications of the findings suggest that advocacy towards increased use of music technology would greatly improve students’
participation. A music program framework is suggested which encompasses activities and strategies for indoor and outdoor
music activities aimed at enhancing participation.
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Quality music programs 2014) [2, 32]. Music context and socio-cultural factors are
A quality music program is characterized by its ability to predictor variables. Prediction correlation design was used
cater to the diverse needs of students, receiving high value to observe the relationships these predictor variables have
and support from the school principal. It should have among themselves, and whether there is one which highly
dedicated and uninterrupted time on the schedule, ensuring predict students’ participation in high school music
minimal conflicts with other subjects. The program should programs.
establish a strong connection between music classes and
instrumental instruction, allowing students to further Sample size
develop their skills. Adequate resources and support from Respondents of the main study were by May 2015 enrolled
administrators, staff, and the community are essential to the students in their respective schools. One high school each
from Kalomo, Monze and Livingstone districts were
success of the program. It should be offered consistently
purposively selected and used for this study. A total of 289
from the first year of school until the final grade of
respondents were used distributed as follows: Kalomo high
secondary school, encompassing a wide range of activities (99), Monze high (91) and Linda high (99).
to cater to students' interests and talents. The program
should include performances such as orchestra, jazz band, Sampling procedure
and choral groups, and should be well-funded to support Schools were sampled using Purposive Sampling based on a
external performances and opportunities for students to criteria that, they offer relatively good music programs.
showcase their talents (Pearson, 2015) [31]. Furthermore, the Stratified Random Sampling was used to sample the
quality of instruction alone can also determine the quality of respondents with grade levels 10, 11 and 12 used as strata.
music program (Falconer, 2013) [10]. The formula nh = (Nh/N) n (Berman, 2015) [4] was utilized
In 2013, Falconer’s study on perceptions of teachers and to calculate the sample sizes for the pilot and final studies
administrators revealed that the quality of music programs based on the gender proportions. The formula involves
was a factor in addressing low participation. From dividing the total number of girls or boys (Nh) by the grand
interviews conducted, it was noted that government budget total (N) and then multiplying it by the desired sample size
cuts were a hindrance to most schools to establish a good (n). Using this formula, individual total numbers of girls and
music program. It was noted especially that this problem boys were computed for each grade level. A sample size of
was evident at elementary and middle schools. The problem 50 was determined for the pilot study, and a sample size of
here is that, this has a spilling effect in the sense that, 100 was determined for the final study. To ensure
secondary school enrolment depends on the feeder representation from each gender in each grade level, Simple
elementary and middle schools. If these feeder schools have Random Sampling was employed. This involved randomly
a poor music program, there would be firstly, no students to selecting 50 participants for the pilot study and 100
enrol at secondary school and therefore continuity suffers. participants for the final study from each gender group
Secondly, secondary schools depend on building from the across the different grade levels. The sampling process was
conducted within each school, considering the strata defined
foundation laid at elementary and middle school. Without
by gender.
students from this level this build up is impossible.
The above findings were consistent with what Ng and Data collection procedure
Hartwig (2011) [13] found out in Australia when studying the This study was conducted using questionnaires as an
teachers’ perception about the declining enrolment of instrument for collecting data. It was purely a quantitative
students in high schools. The revelation was that parental study using self-constructed closed ended questions. Close
support and the quality of music program were high ended questions were chosen because they are convenient
predictors of enrolment. and do not waste time (Battey, 2015) [3].
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significance, a level of significance of 5% was utilized, of the level of use of music technology and the quality of
assuming a normal distribution of the sample (Kalla, 2009) their music programs.
[17]
. The analysis allowed for a comprehensive examination Music education context refers to the environment that
of the data, providing insights into the factors influencing supports music learning which embraces use of music
students' participation in music programs at the high school technology and the quality of music programs offered. To
level. adequately measure it as regards how respondents perceive
it in terms of level of use and quality, two dimensions were
Ethical consideration
used that is, music technology and quality of music
Permission from school authorities were sought before
programs. The questions were assigned a scaled response of
conducting the study. Respondents were informed that their
strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree.
participation was merely on voluntary basis and could pull
out at any point of the research. Their identities were also
Level of music technology use
kept anonymous to maintain confidentiality.
Under this dimension, a total of 10 questions were assigned.
Findings and discussion The result is that level of music technology use is low (M =
This section is about the findings of the study and the 1.77, SD = 0.52). This implies that, the respondents have
interpretation of the collected data. little or no exposure at all in music technology in their
classes and outdoor music programs. This is not a positive
Determine the respondents’ perception of music context indicator in the sense that the world is moving fast and
in terms of use of music technology and quality of music trying to catch up with available technology which is being
programs. updated every now and then. See table below for detailed
This was the first objective which aimed at ascertaining the data on the mean and standard deviations of the responses
respondents’ perception of music education context in terms arranged from high to low.
Table 1 above, manifests that the highest mean of teachers are comfortable to use a keyboard and neglect other
respondents agreed that the musical keyboard was forms. This is because in Zambia the most available and
prevalently used in their music class lessons (M = 2.53). In cheap music instrument is a keyboard. It is hard to find a
contrast, the results show that respondents disagreed that the piano and those available are way far beyond what most
available computers were used to help teach music in class schools can afford. This finding in this study, is contrary to
(M = 1.86). Further, respondents disagreed using recording studies of Watson (2011) and Crawford (2009) [5] who
and editing software to record music meant for music class found synth pads common and lack of keyboards in schools
(M = 1.81). It is also evident from the findings that sampled respectively.
respondents disagreed on using microphones during music
lessons (M = 1.6). The lowest mean recorded showed that Quality of music programs
the respondents disagreed on using computer to record voice This section presents a component of music education
in music class (M = 1.47). context above, which focus on an envisaged good music
The implications of the findings above are that despite program. The measure of the quality of music programs was
having many forms of music technology at their disposal, done through the use of 20 items.
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The school sponsors in campus music performances like choir, band and folk
14. 2.75 0.93 Agree High
dance
The administration allows those who have done music at junior secondary
4. 2.62 0.97 Agree High
school to continue with it at high school
The school sponsors off campus music performances like choir, band and folk
15. 2.61 0.96 Agree High
dance
18. Activities in music programs are usually hands on 2.56 0.82 Agree High
10. All teachers speak positively about our music programs 2.54 0.90 Agree High
11. People in the community attend school music competitions 2.49 1.00 Disagree Low
12. The school offers music in all grade levels 2.48 0.97 Disagree Low
9. Score sheets are enough for all music students 2.47 0.86 Disagree Low
Our school music programs are designed for the able bodied and the physically
1. 2.43 0.95 Disagree Low
challenged students
There is a well-planned schedule for each student on learning an instrument
7. 2.39 0.88 Disagree Low
after music class
17. There are enough music teachers 2.19 0.91 Disagree Low
19. We go on field trips to watch actual bands and choirs singing and playing 1.98 0.99 Disagree Low
The school music programs in terms of band, choir, folk dance and music class
16. 1.72 0.78 Disagree Low
do not need to be improved
Quality music program Overall 2.62 0.39 Agree High
Note: Mean scores are interpreted as follows 3.5-4.0= Very High,2.5-3.49=High,1.5-2.49=Low and 1.0-1.49= Very Low.
The respondents’ perception of the level of quality of music The study reveal that respondents agreed that music
programs in their schools is high (M = 2.62, SD = 0.39). programs in their schools included choir, band, folk dance
This implies that music programs from these schools have and music class (M = 3.16). This is another indicator for a
met above average the yardstick for a quality or envisaged quality music program. However, availability is not a
music programs as stated in the definition of terms. guarantee that students will participate, but it offers a better
Collated information from Table 2, reveal that the chance that they will if certain conditions and enhancers are
respondents affirmed that their music teachers were trained put in place than when not.
to teach music (M = 3.29). They agreed also that their This finding above was in part consistent with Fitzpatrick
school adminstration provides instruments and equipment (2013) [11] who studied factors affecting music education in
for learning music with a response rate with mean score of Ontario Canada and found that band was most prevalent. It
3.16 interpreted as high. Results also show that schools was further supported by a study conducted by Abril and
sampled had choir, band, folk dance and music class in their Gault (2008) [1] on secondary schools in United States and
music programs (M = 3.13). found band, choir, music class being prevalent except for
Furthermore, scores with disagree as response, indicate that folk dance.
though the available teachers are trained, they are few in Furthermore, the results posits a view that, there are few
number and therefore likely not to meet students’musical trained teachers of music and consequently, individualized
needs (M = 2.19). This is very much related also to a lack of instrumental program after class is non- existent. This
well-planned schedule for each student on learning an finding has the potential to influence participation
instrument after music class, as shown in the results (M = negatively. The situation is as a result of firstly few training
2.39). institutions that offer specialized music knowledge.
In the three schools sampled, results designate that all music Secondly, that there are very few people who are willing to
teachers in those schools are trained and qualified to teach. take up studies in music as a career since the perception is
This finding is supported by studies done in Australia that, it is a preserve for the talented and gifted. Thirdly, the
involving primary and secondary schools (Hoeg-Guldberg, confidence of the trainees come into play. It appears their
2013) [15]. In the study it came out that of the ten schools training is not adequate and so there is phobia to teach the
that were sampled, nine had teachers who were highly subject. So in most cases they would rather switch to other
trained and qualified. The percentage of these secondary subjects usually English language (Digolo, Andan'go, &
school teachers was 89% from a sample of 141 which is a Katuli, 2011; Gove & Vaizey, 2011; Eckeskog, 2010) [7, 12,
8]
significant number to warrant a generalization. . Surprisingly Fine Arts is not affected by this apathy
Respondents agreed that the school administration provides exihibited by teachers.
instruments and equipment for learning music (M = A particular note is made on the lowest runged response
3.16).This gesture is an indicator that administrators in the where respondents disagreed that the current music
sampled schools are ready to support the learning programs should be left as they are. This implies that they
environment of music. Though it may not be clear whether are aware that though the program rating is high and are
this equipment is usually new or donated or adequate to available, there is still room to make them better to hit the
balance the ratios as well as the frequence of provision. This very high mark by increasing the use of upto date music
finding is corroborated by the findings of (Abril & Gault, technology.
2008; Crawford, 2009) [1, 5] who recognized government and
adminstrative support in terms of equipment in United Find out the level of participation of the respondents in
States and Australian high schools. However, their findings high school music programs.
bring a question of preferential budgeting when music and This was the second objective which refers to high school
art is viewed in the light of other subjects, this was not so in students’ level of involvement in music programs such as
the current study. band, choir, folk dance and music class.
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using: Always (5), Often (4), Sometimes (3), Rarely (2) and reliability test. The respondents’ level of participation in
Almost never (1). A total of 12 items were used after music programs is low (M = 1.91, SD = 0.74).
knocking off 29 to regulate redundancy noticed during
Data from Table 3 show that, the highest score confirms that Rare attendance to dancing in music class confirms the
respondents often attend their music class (M = 3.52), but observations of Tembo (2012) [36] that, majority of people in
rarely attend recitals as a music class requirement (M = Zambia are embarrassed to dance partly because of their
2.29). They also rarely take part in dancing in the music church beliefs or teaching and colonial influence.
class (M = 2.21). The implication is that the highest
participation is in music class than other programs despite Determine the variables that significantly predict
others being available too. However, essential ingredients of students’ participation in high school music programs.
a good music class are non-existent as can be seen in rare This was the third objective which sought to find out the
attendance to recitals and dancing. It is not clear whether variable that highly predict students’ participation in high
this is because they are non-existent or it is a choice school music. Regression analysis was used to test if music
respondents make. education context and personal profiles are significant
This finding is different with the studies of (McDaniel, predictors of participation in music. Results indicate that
2011; McPherson & O'neill, 2010; Sahin & Jale, 2011) [25, 26, there are four factors that are significant predictors: Peer
33]
who found low partcipation in music class due to the influence, music technology, family income and age.
respondents’ view of music as not being important Together they explain 21.3% of the variance in participation
compared to other subjects. As a consequence, some states in music programs (R2 =.213, F = 15.053, p <.001). See
in California phased out music classes. table below
Peer influence explains 12% of the variance in participation studies of Theorell, Lennartsson, Madison, Mosing, & Ullén
in music that is fitted by the regression model. Meaning (2015) [37] as well as (Siebenaler, 2006) [35]. It aligns well
participation is likely to increase slightly if peer influence is with the Socio-Cognitive theory which (Schunk, Meece, &
increased by one unit due to the small explained percentage Pintrich, 2014) [34].
above. Music technology explains 5.4% of variance.
Meaning that there would be a slight increase in Formulate a school-based curriculum output from
findings.
participation when use of technology is increased. Family
This served as the fourth objective of the study. The study
income explains 2.2% of the variance. Implying that, the
indicated low participation in band, choir and folkdance in
higher the income of parents the lower the participation in
sampled schools. Therefore a framework meant to act as a
music. Age explains 1.6% of the variance. Hence, the higher basis on which current curriculum, can be modified at
the age the more likely students are to increase their school level to encourage participation by students was
participation in music programs. This is corroborated by the suggested.
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