The Impact of Technology-Based Music Classes on Music Department Enrollment in the Northeastern United States

• In Event: Music Education in K–12 Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if the implementation of a technology-based music class in public high schools in the northeastern United States had any significant impact on overall music department enrollment and on enrollment in performance ensembles band and chorus. Results found a statistically significant increase in overall Music Department enrollment and no statistically significant change in enrollment in Band or Chorus after the implementation of a technology-based music class. No significant change to the number of teachers in music departments was found. This study suggests that implementing a technology-based music classes may help increase overall music department enrollment without negatively impacting enrollment in traditional performance ensembles and may not necessitate funding for additional faculty.

Author

• Barbara Freedman, Greenwich Public Schools