Date

5-22-2024

Department

School of Music

Degree

Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology (MA)

Chair

Kimberly Martin

Keywords

music, music education, cultural ownership

Disciplines

Elementary Education | Music

Abstract

Adults may demonstrate cultural ownership of music in various ways, but children are limited in their artistic expression by the restrictions of youth, parental authority, and financial subordination. This project evaluates the ownership behaviors demonstrated by 60 third and fourth grade female students in Albany, NY. Considering self-reported behaviors and the completion of creative activities in the general music classroom, the study also examines a secondary question: is there a difference in the way children interact with music of their own choosing as compared to the music of a teacher’s choosing? Results from this project indicate that students naturally respond to music within their cultural idiolect through creative movement, singing, and choice of listening material. In addition, empirical findings suggest that students are willing to demonstrate creative movement toward music of any genre, regardless of self-reported dislike. Children’s engagement toward instrumental activities, and the results of these activities, were more creative when accompanying liked music than disliked music. However, more research is needed to clarify and justify any potential correlation.

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