Abstracts Category : Other

Investigating the Motivations, Musical Goals, andPreferences of Adults Learning Orchestral String Instruments inCommunity Music Classes

by Elizabeth Anne Williams

This research explored the motivations, musical goals,and preferences of adults learning orchestral string instruments attwo separate community music school programs in the Midwest regionof the United States. A total of six participant interviews (threefrom each program) were transcribed and analyzed, and common themesemerged. Motivations of these participants included: (a) a generaldesire to be involved in music-making, (b) music learning forpersonal fulfillment and/or keeping their brains active, (c) a loveof a string instrument since childhood, (d) involvement of familymembers in music. Musical goals held by these participantsincluded: (a) producing a quality sound/tone, (b) gaining theability to read music fluently, (c) gaining the ability to playfamiliar tunes, (d) learning more advanced techniques such asshifting and vibrato. Preferences of these participants included:(a) a welcoming classroom environment with the ability to askquestions during class, (b) an instructor with good classroommanagement skills, (c) group-based learning over individuallearning, (d) a desire to play a variety of musical genres. Many ofthe motivations, musical goals, and preferences of the participantsin this study reflect the findings of previous research on adultmusic learning. Implications for the field of music education inrelation to program availability and teacher education arediscussed, and suggestions are made for futureresearch.Advisors/Committee Members: Gruenhagen, Lisa (Advisor).