Jen+Joyce

In August my job description changed. Instead of being a middle school general music specialist, I was taking over many of the high school classes. I was both excited and anxious about these changes. I soon discovered that many of my assumptions about previous general music classes lacking motivation were untrue. I had assumed those students were uninterested in the topic and since it was a required class, they had no choice but to stick it out. I always felt that the students who elected to participated in the performing ensembles, particularly at the high school level, did so because they had a passion for making music and they //__wanted__// to be there. Quickly I discovered that they may want to be they may like singing. They, however, lacked the motivation to put in the work necessary to achieve the results they (and I) expected. It was that frustration that fueled my questioning. Was this lack of motivation just a growing pain as part of the the transition between directors? Was this the result of something I did, or did not do? What could be done to inspire these kids to be motivated and practice? When given the opportunity to discuss issues we were having in our individual classrooms at our first Arts Educator 2.0 meeting this year I joined a number of other colleagues who were frustrated by a lack of motivation they saw in their classrooms as well. We formed the M & D Inquiry group and set off to see what impact inquiry could have in motivating the students. We began by creating a pre-test that we would administer to our individual classes. I chose to focus on my concert choir students.
 * Jen Joyce **** Choir, Theory, Piano- Charleroi High School **** General Music- Charleroi Middle School **

Specific results from CHS for Pre-Test

You can view the published form here: [] 32 responses Summary See complete responses |||| What grade are you in During the rest of this year in class, I want to learn how to improve posture and vocal rangeSing and hear pitches better and sing loudersight read bettersing better and extend my rangehow to sing better!sing in more vocal rangessing in higher rangessing with better tonesing like a man angelI want to sing higher, and learn to play the piano and sing at the same timehow to sing out moresing with better voiceI would like to learn how to better sing without musicsing the right pitch by myselfto sing highersing betterhold a longer breath and sing more properI would like to learn to hold my breath longerread notesread music betterreading musicmore music the...   I would be more motivated in this class, if only: there were people to sing with...?n/ait is kept interestingI got a gradeif nothing. Miss J is amazing.we sang recognizable songswe sang enjoyable songsI was challenged morethis were my career choiceif people in class didn't have bad attitudes and actually showed up for chorus concertspeople would help outno answer givensome songs were more relatableeveryone would concentrate and actually singwe sang more up-to-date songs once in a whileI could get along with the other studentswe sang more enjoyable songswe sang more exciting songsthe songs were more funto sing more instead of doing worksingi...
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=bhs&chs=345x300&chbh=24%2C6&chco=4a4ae9%7C5c5ceb%7C1212e2%7C8181f0%7C2525e4%7C6f6fed%7C3737e7%7C0000e0%7C9393f2&chxt=x%2Cy&chxl=0%3A%7C0%7C3%7C6%7C9%7C12%7C15%7C1%3A%7CGrade%2012%7CGrade%2011%7CGrade%2010%7CGrade%209%7CGrade%208%7CGrade%207%7CGrade%206%7CGrade%205%7CGrade%204&chxs=0%2C000000%2C12%2C0%2Clt%7C1%2C000000%2C12%2C1%2Clt&chds=0%2C15&chd=t%3A0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C13%2C10%2C4%2C5 width="345" height="300"]] ||  || Grade 4 ||   || 0 || 0% ||
 * Grade 5 ||  || 0 || 0% ||
 * Grade 6 ||  || 0 || 0% ||
 * Grade 7 ||  || 0 || 0% ||
 * Grade 8 ||  || 0 || 0% ||
 * Grade 9 ||  || 13 || 41% ||
 * Grade 10 ||  || 10 || 31% ||
 * Grade 11 ||  || 4 || 13% ||
 * Grade 12 ||  || 5 || 16% ||   ||
 * Grade 12 ||  || 5 || 16% ||   ||
 * Do you practice or sketch outside of class instruction time? ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=p&chs=345x150&chco=ff9900&chl=Yes%20%5B26%5D%7CNo%20%5B6%5D&chd=e%3Az.L. width="345" height="150"]] ||  || Yes ||   || 26 || 81% ||
 * No ||  || 6 || 19% ||   ||

If not at all, why not? not sure how to practiceI just really don't feel like itI don't really have enough time to practiceI don't really enjoy singing that muchI don't practice because I don't feel I need tocuz I just sing in the car If 4 times per week or less, why? I'm busy with school, work, musical etc.I have very little free timeI do not have the music to practice outside and I don't love the songsno time. I feel ridiculous singing in front of people by myselfI sing for church every SundayI don't have timeI am really busyI take voiceI have cheer and I'm too busynot enough timenot enough timeI love singing. It makes me feel so much better. I sing everydayinterested in becoming better I just like to and why not? practicing makes you better at what you're trying to do
 * If yes, how often ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=bhs&chs=345x210&chbh=24%2C6&chco=da3737%7Cd00000%7Cdf5353%7Cd51c1c%7Ce46f6f%7Ce98a8a&chxt=x%2Cy&chxl=0%3A%7C0%7C2%7C4%7C6%7C8%7C10%7C1%3A%7COther%7CI%20don%27t%20practice%7C8-10%20times%20per%20week%7C5-7%20times%20per%20week%7C2-4%20times%20per%20week%7C0-1%20time%20per%20week&chxs=0%2C000000%2C12%2C0%2Clt%7C1%2C000000%2C12%2C1%2Clt&chds=0%2C10&chd=t%3A3%2C9%2C5%2C9%2C6%2C0 width="345" height="210"]] ||  || 0-1 time per week ||   || 3 || 9% ||
 * 2-4 times per week ||  || 9 || 28% ||
 * 5-7 times per week ||  || 5 || 16% ||
 * 8-10 times per week ||  || 9 || 28% ||
 * I don't practice ||  || 6 || 19% ||
 * Other ||  || 0 || 0% ||   ||
 * Do you study privately outside of a school setting? ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=p&chs=345x150&chco=dcca02&chl=Yes%20%5B9%5D%7CNo%20%5B23%5D&chd=e%3AR.t. width="345" height="150"]] ||  || Yes ||   || 9 || 28% ||
 * No ||  || 23 || 72% ||   ||

I would put more effort into practicing or sketching if... I felt more confident in my abilityI had time. I could make time though...I had a lot to practiceno answerWe would sing/play songs I knowI was betterI got voice lessonsI was challenged morethis were my career choicewe sang more updated/modern conventional musicI tried moreno answerI practice with plenty of effortI had more time and confidencewe sang recent songs once in awhileI had more things to sing forthere was a lot more songs that we didn't have to sing so professionallyThe songs we practiced were more enjoyableI felt singing could get me any where in lifeI like the songwe sang songs we...  What achievement in your music or art class are you most proud of? Explain why. I correct myself a lot and it makes it easier to get the song rightsinging betterbecoming drum major because I like to strive to be the best I can beWinning Wake Up Your Dreams because I won $1,000 and it got my name outgetting into District BandI have no achievementsmy honors/county/district bands that I have participated inreceiving the Paul Hubinon Awardjust being there and being greatbeing able to play the piano and singing a little bit highermy 9th grade concertwhen people watch usI'm proud of our rendition of "Coventry Carol" We did well for our first a capella songI was having trouble... People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.
 * If no, do you wish you could? ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=p&chs=345x150&chco=00d000&chl=Yes%20%5B11%5D%7CNo%20%5B10%5D%7Cnot%20applicable%20%5B11%5D&chd=e%3AV.T.V. width="345" height="150"]] ||  || Yes ||   || 11 || 34% ||
 * No ||  || 10 || 31% ||
 * not applicable ||  || 11 || 34% ||   ||
 * What things help motivate you in your music or arts classes? ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=bhs&chs=345x270&chbh=24%2C6&chco=b854c7%7Ca72ab9%7C9f16b3%7Cb03fc0%7Cc97dd4%7C9601ac%7Cd291db%7Cc168ce&chxt=x%2Cy&chxl=0%3A%7C0%7C5%7C10%7C15%7C20%7C25%7C1%3A%7Copportunities%20to%20...%7Ccreating%20quality%20...%7Cbeing%20able%20to%20exp...%7Ca%20place%20to%20fit%20in%7Copportunities%20to%20...%7Cpraise%20from%20my%20pa...%7Crecognition%20from%20...%7Cpraise%20from%20my%20te...&chxs=0%2C000000%2C12%2C0%2Clt%7C1%2C000000%2C12%2C1%2Clt&chds=0%2C25&chd=t%3A18%2C13%2C14%2C8%2C16%2C19%2C6%2C23 width="345" height="270"]] ||  || praise from my teachers ||   || 18 || 56% ||
 * recognition from my peers ||  || 13 || 41% ||
 * praise from my parents ||  || 14 || 44% ||
 * opportunities to earn money or prizes ||  || 8 || 25% ||
 * a place to fit in ||  || 16 || 50% ||
 * being able to express my individuality ||  || 19 || 59% ||
 * creating quality products ||  || 6 || 19% ||
 * opportunities to get improve my technical/musical skills ||  || 23 || 72% ||

If given the opportunity, would you go to an art gallery or music performance outside of school. Why or Why not? yes, I like going to see musicals and actually do it a lotyes, I would love it.yes, because it looks good on college stuff and it's a good experience to see what's out thereYes, because I love music.yes so I can be exposed to other thingsI'd go to a music performancemusic performances. I hate artYes because I enjoy many different professional groupsyes. Some groups interest me to go out and see themyes, because I feel it helps me grow musicallyYes, because I want to become a singeryesYes. I love watching other people be vulnerable and display their talentsyes. I like performingyes, I love mu...  In the last year, what types of live music events or art exhibits have to attended? Why or Why not? I haven't done anything yet, but I have like five musicals and concerts to go to by the end of the school yearPerformances by the Pittsburgh SymphonyWicked, Audience of the Future Performances-the Beach Boys Concert -Wicked -the PSO -various school musicals-concerts at the symphony -WickednoneNonemusicals because I really enjoyed watching different musicalsnone- I have not been all that free because of workI saw a musical because I enjoy seeing and hearing things like thatour concertsnoI have attended many musicals. I love the stage.Wicked- I was invited.I've attended our school concerts and...
 * Which is more rewarding.... ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=p&chs=345x150&chco=0000e0&chl=a%20piece%20of%20art%20or%20music%20that%20is%20more%20challenging%20and%20may%20not%20look%20as%20polished%2C%20but%20helped%20you%20%27get%20it%27%20%5B26%5D%7Ca%20piece%20of%20art%20or%20music%20that%20looks%20good%2C%20but%20required%20little%20effort%20%5B6%5D&chd=e%3Az.L. width="345" height="150"]] ||  || a piece of art or music that is more challenging and may not look as polished, but helped you 'get it' ||   || 26 || 81% ||
 * a piece of art or music that looks good, but required little effort ||  || 6 || 19% ||   ||
 * Number of daily responses ||
 * [[image:https://chart.googleapis.com/chart?cht=lc&chs=300x150&chco=ff9900&chl=1%2F12%2F2012%7C1%2F13%2F2012&chly=36%7C30%7C24%7C18%7C12%7C6%7C0&chd=e%3AAA44 width="300" height="150"]] ||  ||

In addition to the pre-evaluation our CIG created I also created a post- concert evaluation for all the students to complete. We watched a video recording of the concert and for perhaps the first time the students were critically evaluating the performance they had given. We discussed the areas the students felt were most improved since the beginning of the year (diction, phrasing, dynamics etc.) and the areas that they felt were weakest (balance, blend, tone). There were some things the students were very critical of that I felt had actually gone rather well and some that they were very happy with that I felt could have been better. After some guided questioning we tried to come up with why those areas were lacking and what things we could do to improve those areas of weakness. Most overwhelmingly, the area of balance was seen as our biggest weakness. Students immediately noted the multiple class periods of the same performing ensemble. They struggled with how to overcome that issue since the schedule is already set, we aren't allowed to pull out students for rehearsals and so many have multiple other after school activities.

After completing the CIG survey with my students we spent a class period or two discussing their responses. I personally was surprised that so many mentioned they practiced outside of rehearsals. I certainly did not feel as though I was seeing that in our group rehearsals. It made me question what they considered 'practice.' After conducting some video interviews it became evident that they consider anytime they sing, regardless of material, to be practice. To them, singing along to Adele on the radio was practice for the a capella Italian piece we were working on in class. Due to my own lack of motivation and time commitment to the spring musical I was not able to create rehearsal tracks in time to be a benefit for our concert. It certainly seems that having practice parts posted online where the students can download them to their iPods etc would be a help. One of the overwhelming themes that came out of the pre-test, the holiday concert evaluations and our class discussions of both was that they students wanted to feel that they had an active ownership of the group. They felt that if they had a hand in the creation of the product they would have a vested interest in its outcome. I'm not one to really enjoy relinquishing control- especially when I'm still searching to find that control myself. But in the spirit on inquiry, and the hopes that they would be right, we looked at a few areas where the students could take a more active role. We decided on three major areas- opportunities to attend other performance, concert attire and concert programming.

For the Christmas concert, I had insisted the students wear the choir robes. The robes are plain black and have a red and white stole. They just look clean and uniform. You avoid the issue of girls’ skirts being too short or blouses cut too low or the gentleman not having dress shirts. It takes the guesswork out of what to wear for the performance. The kids hate the robes. They feel like they look ridiculous. So we created a compromise. I would be willing to have them wear something else, but they had to create the proposal. In previous years the former director would have tshirts created for the group and they would wear those with ‘nice jeans.’ I thought the kids would jump all over this opportunity. So many of them are artistic and we have access to equipment to screenprint shirts with their design. We set a deadline of the beginning of April for their designs so that if needed we would have time for shirts to be made. The deadline was posted on the board, on my class Edline page, announced multiple times in rehearsal. I really tried to encourage the kids to be creative with this opportunity. The deadline passed and I didn’t have a single proposal. They just seemed apathetic.

An additional area that many of my students overwhelmingly responded to was the question about interest in attending outside music/art events. Many specifically mentioned wanting to attend other school or even professional musical productions. It just so happened that one of my friends from home was recently cast in a touring production of Shrek... as Shrek. The tour was coming to WVU and I wrote a request to fund transportation to the event as long as the student would pay or fundraise for the ticket fee. I contacted my friend and arranged an after show meet and greet. I had over thirty students who initially expressed interest in attending. I ordered the tickets for the production and kept having students drop out of the trip because they 'just decided they didn't want to.' I ended up having to reduce the number of tickets to the minimum group rate of $20 and still only had 15 attend. I then had to pay to make up the difference. The group that went had an amazing time and still now months later talk about it (and meeting Luki) on a daily basis. The frustration comes that the kids beg to get to go and do things, to go on trips, etc. etc. and when the work is done they back out. The band trip is another example. Twice in the last three years the students have expressed an interest in going on a band trip. Some go so far to put in their down payment. Then they back out and the trip is ultimately cancelled because of lack of interest. Then we as a department get questioned as to why we aren't doing enough activities to promote our discipline. So far, I'm feeling fairly disheartened with the results. I'm not seeing much if any increase in motivation. I feel like I'm doing all the work and not seeing the kind of change I was anticipating.

I was very nervous about opening up the concert programming since so many of them generally only want to sing pop songs. So I decided to open up the programming with some parameters. I preselected a variety of pieces that would fit within different genres I wanted to see represented in the concert. I opened the day by saying that we'd end by taking a vote and the simple majority would win. Any of the choices for each section were appropriate and ones that I would find acceptable. Taking one or two genres a day for about a week, we looked at a small segment of the music and listened to the recordings posted on the publishers website. There were some that I was secretly hoping they would pick and they did not. Pieces that I never thought they would like that they raved about and request to sing each day. Without a doubt it has changed rehearsals for the better. Obviously not every person likes all of the pieces, but the students are starting to recognize why some of them were chosen and seem to be excited about singing. A certain piece really works on our blend and dynamics, another works on more complicated harmonies and diction. Previous they would get to a phase where they were disinterested in singing or bored with the music. Now, they're complaining that I'm not there because of festivals or other events such as this and they can't sing. With nineteen rehearsal days left before the spring concert, we still have work to do to get the material at the level I would like to see, but the kids don't seem to complain as much. They sing. They seem to be having fun. Isn't that partly the point of making music? Allowing ourselves to experience the fun and enjoyment of art?