| dc.description.abstract | In the last two decades of the twentieth century in particular, a renewed interest
arose in the relationship between music making and intelligence. This yet again
led to the question of whether or not music making has any influence on intelligence. As a result of popular views, incorrect and incomplete reports and research which has not been based on an adequate scientific foundation, however, claims about the potential of making music to increase intelligence are currently being questioned.
Even though the literature study could not prove beyond all doubt that music making increases intelligence, it is nevertheless significant that most of the top achievers in the matric final examination make music, play in orchestras or sing in choirs. The main objective of the study is to determine the nature of the relationship between music making and intelligence. A further aim of the study is also to establish whether the making of music contributes towards equipping
learners with life skills which enable them to be successful in their lives later on. In addition to the literature study, this study also includes an empirical investigation. For the purposes of this study the Baron Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version was used. The experimental group consisted of forty nine learners who are members of either the Northwest Youth Orchestra or the
Musikhane orchestra. A control group consisting of fifty learners from the same
schools as the experimental group was involved as well. In-depth interviews were also held with the conductors of respectively the Northwest Youth Orchestra and the Musikhane orchestra. Questionnaires were completed by music teachers in the Northwest Province and by some of the Musikhane workers, in order to compare the qualitative results of the questionnaires and
interviews with the quantitative results of the BarOn EQ-i:YV questionnaire. The findings of the study are based on an empirical study, which includes qualitative and quantitative testing. It was indicated, amongst others, that the positive influence of music making on academic achievement is to be found on
the affective rather than the cognitive level. Furthermore, music making equips learners with certain life skills, like self-discipline, self-confidence and good inter- and intrapersonal relationships, which help them to be successful in other areas of their lives, such as their school work. | |
