Effects of choral music participation on students’ academic performance in music in senior high schools in the Sunyani Municipality.

Abstract

Adopting a qualitative research approach, this study employed purposive sampling to select three music directors and thirty students from three senior high schools within the Sunyani Municipality. Employing interviews, discussions, and observations, the study unveiled a unanimous consensus among music directors regarding the significance of employing vocal warm-ups, focused practice sessions, and active student engagement as widely embraced rehearsal strategies. Moreover, the research shed light on the effective teaching methods employed by these directors when working with beginner students, encompassing vocal exercises, simplified musical pieces, and personalized guidance. Both music directors and choristers commonly agreed that choral participation positively influenced academic engagement, leading to enhanced study habits, analytical thinking, and improved memory retention. This alignment of perspectives underscored the enrichment of emotional, social, cognitive, digital, and creative intelligence domains through choral involvement. The study also identified challenges such as managing diverse skill levels, time constraints, and limited resources. The recommended strategies encompass efficient resource allocation, continuous professional development, and the incorporation of varied rehearsal techniques. These insights offer valuable guidance to educators and stakeholders with the aim of enhancing choral directing in the landscape of music education.