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Learning music theory en passant: a study in an internationally recognised South African University student choir

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2019

Michael Barrett ,
Roy Page-Shipp ,
Caroline van Niekerk  and
Johan Ferreira
Michael Barrett
Affiliation:
Department of Music, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
Roy Page-Shipp
Affiliation:
Manor Ridge, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria, South Africa
Caroline van Niekerk*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
Johan Ferreira
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
*
Corresponding author. Email: caroline@mweb.co.za
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Abstract

While mastery of aspects of music theory is relevant to rapid learning and understanding of a new choral part, many choirs comprise members with no formal education in music theory. Also, the language of music theory is not intuitive, with many terms having meanings different from those in common use, which can present obstacles for mature learners. The authors hypothesised that students joining an internationally recognised university choir might master aspects of music theory as a by-product of rehearsals. This was tested by having new admissions to such a choir complete a music theory test at the commencement and at the end of a year. The test evaluated the ability to name and write intervals and name notes and the duration of notes. Overall results did not reject the hypothesis. Subjects with no formal music training also showed most, and statistically significant, improvement in the questions related to intervals, which are arguably the most useful skills for choristers who do not sight-read. This appears to be a new finding: the literature shows occasional references to music theory skills, but their acquisition in a learning-by-doing style is not reported. Some insights into ways of enhancing choral performance are a by-product of the principal focus of the study.

Keywords

Choir traininginformal learningmusic theorychoral work
Type
Articles
Information
British Journal of Music Education , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , July 2020 , pp. 155 - 168
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019

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