Cultivating Positive Emotions through Choral Instruction: An Empirical Study in Rural Chinese Primary School

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Reimagining Rural Schools Worldwide: Policy, Community Engagement, and Student Development

Abstract

In rural China, music education is often constrained by limited resources and a lack of focus on students’ emotional well-being. This study explores how emotion-oriented choral instruction, grounded in positive psychology, can support rural students’ positive development. Using local folk songs and participatory singing, a choral program was implemented in a rural primary school. Mixed-methods research—including the EPOCH scale, observations and interviews—showed gains in optimism, hope, and self-efficacy. Qualitative data further revealed that music became a means of emotional expression and cultural connection. The study offers a replicable model for emotionally responsive music education, reimagining the choral classroom as a space where rural children grow in confidence, connection, and joy through song.

Authors

• Yinyi Luo, East China Normal University

• Shuhan Qiu, East China Normal University