Adolescent Male Attitudes About Singing in Choir

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence adolescent males to enroll in school choir as an elective class and to assess their attitudes about singing in general, self-concept of their own voices, and perception of others’ view of adolescent males’ participation in choir. Data were obtained from 101 adolescent males who were enrolled in choir at one of six participating schools, and were in Grade 7 or Grade 8. Data analysis showed that most participants enrolled in choir because they thought it was fun and/or they were good singers. Results also indicated that peer pressure factored less than the enjoyment of singing in influencing their decision to enroll in choir. Other results suggested that the participants perceived support from their families, principals, and nonmusic teachers in their decision to take choir and that they perceived slightly less support from coaches at their school. The study indicates a need for future research of adolescent males who have chosen not to participate in choir and their attitudes about choir participation. Future research studying the attitudes of adolescent males from other regions and their attitudes about choir participation is also recommended.