Resumen de An exploratory investigation of three middle School General Music Student's beliefs about music education
The purpose of this investigative study was to examine how three middle school students' experiences in music classes shape their attitudes and beliefs about music education. The research question addressed was: How do middle school students in a general music class view music education? Three middle school students enrolled in a required general music class were interviewed for this study. The interviews used open-ended questions to address the students' prior experiences in school music programs, their beliefs and attitudes about music education, their experiences in the general music course, and their beliefs about the importance of music and music education in their lives. Three themes were derived from interviews with the participants: (a) music class is fun and less serious than other classes, and provides a release of tension and boredom; (b) some students are more talented than others and music education is more important for the talented; and (e) the primary purpose of music in society is for entertainment, and the average person listens to music but doesn't perform. Educational implications of these beliefs are discussed.
