The Church Music Program: The Effect of Moving from Performance-based to Education-based Emphasis in a Church Music Program

This research project sought to answer the primary research question: What occurs when the music program in a church changes its emphasis from performance to education? This qualitative study of a church choir included participant observation of Wednesday evening and Sunday morning rehearsals over a 12 week period, individual interviews, group interviews, written responses, and written and visual assessment of musical skills. The goal was a rich description of the participants and emerging themes resulting from the shift in emphasis. Analysis of data occurred through inductive processing. Data was initially coded and then the codes were categorized into sub-themes, and finally into major themes. Early analysis of the data began with reflection in a researcher journal. Following the completion of the study the journal was entered into a word processor, as were transcriptions of videotaped rehearsals, and written reflections from the participants. After all data had been reviewed repeatedly and entered into the word processor, it was coded, reexamined, and finally categorized into sub-themes and themes. After coding and identification of major themes and sub-themes the finding were challenged by looking for disconfirming evidence. Finally, after the completion of the analysis stage, member checks were conducted. The results of the analysis of data revealed themes that could be associated either with the choir or the director. The key themes primarily associated with the choir were: Response to the change in rehearsal format; Attitude toward learning; Appropriateness of community learning model; and, Member's perceptions of the results of the program. The key themes associated with the director were identified as: Conductor assuming the role of educator; Conductor recognizing the choir as learners; Conductor treating rehearsals as a time for teaching and learning; and, Conductor's perception of the effectiveness of the change in focus. The study concluded that a change in focus from performance to education did not noticeably improve the sound of the choir after twelve-weeks. There were however, indications that improvements were being made by the individual members. Further study of the effects over a longer period of time is recommended.

Church music,

Mode of access: Internet.

Stoughton collection of church music : being a compilation of the most approved sacred music, by ancient and modern authors ... /

Mode of access: Internet.

Taylor's sacred minstrel, or, American church music book : a new collection of psalm and hymn tunes adapted to the various metres now in use : together with anthems, sentences, chants and other pieces : for the use of choirs, congregations, singing schools, musical societies, social sacred music circles, and private devotion ... /

Mode of access: Internet.

The fountain of sacred song : a collection of new church music, for choirs, congregations, singing schools and conventions /

Publisher's advertisements: back cover.

The Boston musical education society's collection of church music : consisting of original psalm and hymn tunes, select pieces, chants, &c., including compositions adapted to the service of the Protestant Episcopal Church /

Two voice parts with keyboard accompaniment.

The Boston Handel and Haydn Society collection of church music : being a selection of the most approved psalm and hymn tunes, anthems, sentences, chants, &c. : together with many beautiful extracts from the works of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and other eminent composers, harmonized for three and four voices, with a figured base for the organ and piano forte /

Mode of access: Internet.

Church music; a magazine for the clergy, choirmasters and organists.

Mode of access: Internet.

Church music regulations for the archdiocese of San Francisco /

Mode of access: Internet.

Tudor church music.

Edited by E. H. Fellowes and others.

The Choral tribute : a collection of new church music, for choirs, singing schools, conventions, &c. /

Includes indexes.

The Boston Academy's Collection of church music : consisting of the most popular psalm and hymn tunes, anthems, sentences, chants, &c., old and new : together with many beautiful pieces, tunes and anthems, selected from the masses and other works of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven ... and other distinguished composers, arranged and adapted to English words expressly for this work, including, also, original compositions by German, English and American authors.

Includes indexes.

The American harp : being a collection of new and original church music,

Title taken from cover.

The modern psalmist; a collection of church music, comprising the most popular psalm and hymn tunes and occasional pieces in general use, together with a great variety of new tunes, anthems, motetts, sentences, chants, &c. by distinguished European authors; ... including also, compositions by the editor, ...

Cover title: t.-p. lacking.

The modern psalmist; a collection of church music, comprising the most popular psalm and hymn tunes and occasional pieces in general use, together with a great variety of new tunes, anthems, motetts, sentences, chants, &c. by distinguished European authors; ... including also, compositions by the editor, ...

"Published under the sanction of the Boston Academy of Music."