Inspiring the Next Generation of Music Educators: A Multiple Case Study of High School Music Experiences and Career Choice

Abstract

The purpose of this instrumental multiple case study was to explore the roles that high school music educators and the experiences they provide play in influencing high school students’ decisions to pursue a career in music education. Four bounded systems, consisting of programs led by ensemble directors with documented records and reputations for helping matriculate music education students into undergraduate music education programs, were studied. Findings were organized into the following themes: (a) formative attraction to the profession, (b) differing approaches to encouragement, (c) forms of encouragement, and (d) life as a music teacher. Specific implications for practice for multiple stakeholders and implications for future research are provided based on these findings.

Relationship Between School Music Context and Music Career Choice Among Chinese Adolescents: A Framework Based on a Context–Process–Outcomes Model

“…However, the relationship between school music context and career choice in the music field is still unclear in large-scale secondary school adolescents. 13 …”

“… 24 Only a small number of studies in the educational field conducted instrumental multiple cases method to explore high school students’ pursuit of music career. 13 However, since these studies did not adopt quantitative methods, it was hard to reveal the direct and indirect relationships and their effect sizes.…”

“…All those factors in school music context could have the potential impact on students’ music learning experiences which highly related to their music career choice. 13 , 31 …”

“…Some empirical studies supported this relationship between school music context and music career choice from different facets, including musical activities, musical classrooms, music teachers, music broadcasting. 13 , 33–35 First, musical activities play the connective role in teacher–student interaction regarding music tasks. Recent studies have pointed out that participation in community music groups or musical activities such as music summer camps have an imperceptible and positive impact on career choices.…”

“…Finally, given that music teachers are students’ instructors and mentors in the path of music, school music educators and their experiences play a role in influencing the decision of students to engage in music education career. 13 …”