"Just sitting there learning": Case studies in NSW secondary school music and musical participation

Abstract

This study explores the relationships between school musical culture, adolescent musical preference and music teaching strategies in secondary school, in order to determine the extent to which these are factors influencing students' decisions to continue their musical participation, both in and outside of school. Case studies of two New South Wales high schools were conducted. Participants were junior secondary music students and their teachers from each of the selected schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with students and teachers, and observations of music lessons and activities. The study explored the perspectives, opinions and attitudes of participants in the chosen research settings. Data were analysed through open and axial coding. It was established that the factors that provided the focus of this research project – school musical culture, musical preferences and music teaching strategies – have a significant impact on the ways in which students perceive music both in and outside of school. These perceptions then influence their decisions to continue musical participation. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of research and literature in this field and generate a number of avenues for future research.