Secondary Students' In-School and Out-of-School Music Participation Profiles: An Exploratory Analysis

• In Event: Music Education in K–12 Schools

Abstract

This study explored the musical and personal characteristics of students inside and outside school music programs. Participants from three secondary schools in Salt Lake City, Utah completed a researcher-designed Music Participation Index (MPI) (N = 855). Data from the MPI were analyzed using latent profile analysis, enabling the researcher to identify unobserved profiles of musical activity. Results revealed six distinct music activity profiles: (1) low participation (21%), (2) music listeners (24%), (3) music listeners desiring more music participation (22%), (4) primarily outside of school music making (8%), (5) school and community music participation (17%) and (6) high participation in all domains (school, community, home). Profiles were also compared on several demographic and psychosocial factors related to school music participation.

Author

• Seth Pendergast, Colorado State University - Fort Collins