Keys for the participation of adolescents in youth musical groups: The case of choirs in Catalonia and bands in Valencia

Abstract

Group music practice during the adolescence brings many academic-music and socio-emotional benefits. In Spain, there are two associative musical phenomena that stand out for their musical quality and their wide offer of non-formal education: symphonic bands in Valencia and choirs in Catalonia. The present investigation consists of a non-experimental exploratory study whose main objective was to know the reasons why adolescents decide to participate in these groups and the socio-emotional benefits they perceive. To achieve this goal, an ad hoc questionnaire was applied to a sample of 660 adolescents. The results obtained related the group music practice with factors such as aesthetic pleasure or the relationship between friends. Statistically significant differences were observed depending on the type of grouping. Participants highly value the leadership exercised by the musical director, as well as the social-emotional benefits they obtain.