The Effect of Instrumental Music Instruction on Disadvantaged South African Students' Career Plans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of instrumental music instruction on the career plans of disadvantaged South African secondary school students. The study was part of the South African Music Outreach Project, a project that over the past two years has established concert bands (instrumental ensembles) at public schools in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The findings revealed that students' participation in instrumental music instruction had a positive effect on their career plans and decisions to major in music. After participation in the instrumental music programme, the majority of students indicated they were strongly contemplating a career in music upon completion of their secondary education. Similar to previous studies on comparable populations, there were gender and racial differences in the career plans of subjects within the current sample. Follow-up studies should focus on the impact of the South African Music Project on variables such self-esteem, leadership, teamwork and motivation.