Date

8-6-2025

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (PhD)

Chair

Jerry Leonard Newman

Keywords

Mass music, Catholic Grade School, heart rate, respiration rate, spiritual growth

Disciplines

Education | Music

Abstract

Participation in music among Catholic grade school students is insufficient, despite research suggesting the importance of music at Catholic Mass. Student perspectives provide researchers with an understanding of music's connection to students' spiritual development. This qualitative experimental case study investigates fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade student perspectives of their spiritual development through worship music participation during the Mass. This experimental case study identifies perspectives not yet explored and documented concerning this group of students. This study focuses on students' social, emotional, and physical well-being throughout the study regarding the connection of music to spiritual development. Approximately thirty students participated in pre- and post-mass music experience surveys, personal interviews, and physiological measurements, such as heart rate and respiration. This work is essential because many Catholic schools experience challenges in encouraging participation in the music of the Mass. These perspectives will advance the music selection of Catholic Masses, yield more participation and providing students with a more significant spiritual experience. This study will encourage further research to create a spiritually thriving music program for Catholic schools.

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