Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing participation in a youth community ensemble. Participants (N=73) were student musicians, ages 7-18, who participated in a youth choir, youth orchestra, or youth band. All participants electing to participate responded using the same questionnaire. The questionnaire asked demographic questions including gender, age, education background, and instrument or voice. Two free response questions asked participants to list why they elected to join their ensemble and to list anyone who may have encouraged them to join the ensemble. Following the free response section, Likert-type rating scales were given to investigate the degree of influence social and musical factors had on youths electing to participate in an ensemble.
Results indicated significant differences between social and musical factors. Participants indicated and rated musical factors to be of greater importance when considering participation in a youth community ensemble over social factors. Data from both the free-response question and Likert-type scales indicated this significant difference. Additionally, teachers and parents were found to have the greatest amount of influence on participants over friends, other relatives or acquaintances. However, the importance of encouragement from interpersonal sources was rated as the lowest of the 11 Likert-type factors. Additional study in the areas of recruitment, programming, administration, funding, and perceived differences between instrumental and vocal participant objectives are suggested.
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