The perceived value of music-making for participants in a concert orchestra at an Afrikaans High School for Boys

Abstract

There are an abundant number of studies that focus on the importance of active music-making, but an extensive literature search reveals that no such research has been done that specifically focuses on participants in a homogeneous Afrikaans high school. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the perceived value of music-making for the participants in a concert orchestra at an Afrikaans high school for boys. This information can be useful for Afrikaans schools and their conductors, to understand the perceived value that individuals place on active participation in a concert orchestra in these schools. A qualitative research design was used to collect and analyse the data collected. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with 24 members of the concert orchestra, focus group interviews, as well as observations of rehearsals. The findings of this study emphasise that the perceived values associated with the active music-making in an Afrikaans high school concert orchestra are multi-faceted. The participants attributed social, personal as well as music values to their participation in the concert orchestra of a homogeneous Afrikaans high school. The expectancy-value theory of Wigfield and Eccles was used as a theoretical basis for this qualitative study. The analysed data of this study revealed that the members of the orchestra placed a lot of emphasis on the attainment (the importance that an individual places on a task) as well as the intrinsic (the enjoyment of the task) value. Furthermore, these participants indicated that the reward (utility value) is worth the cost (long hours) of participating in the orchestra. Results from this study indicate that a homogenous Afrikaans high school concert orchestra establishes a platform for friendships over age and grade boundaries.