| Summary: | Instrumental music is one of the extra-curricular activities that students may join after school hours to acquire more music experience. There is limited number of studies in Hong Kong investigating the effect of group instrumental music training on primary school children. The impact of school-based music training on both academic and psychological issue is not well understood. This research aims at revealing the reasons that make students participate in these extra-curricular music activities, the benefits that students perceive in the music activities and how these music activities affect their aspiration in learning. This research focuses to investigate deeply in one context of a primary school in Hong Kong of the real life experience of students aged 9-12 about the above issue.
This research indicates the factors motivating students to participate in music activities which are mainly parental, family and peer influence. Enjoying musical activities, listening to music, attending concerts, playing in music groups have demonstrated positive effects on the students. The support of parents, family, peers and self-beliefs are also important in sustaining students in their musical journey. In the research, students have reported their beliefs that music participation imparts some extra musical benefits. Interviews with parents and students indicate the benefits student perceived in the music participation include gaining love and enjoyment in music, developing social skills of teamwork, sense of belonging, communication, cooperation, confidence and satisfaction in their music playing with friends. Concentration, self-discipline, self-motivation, self-accomplishment, listening and memory skills are enhanced which help in other areas of learning. In addition, the research reveals that music makes students feel relaxed and releases their pressure from the heavy-loaded school work.
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