Music and young people today

COMENIUS BILATERAL EUROPEAN PROGRAMME 2011 – 2013

“Blending Cultures by using music, sports and arts”

MUSIC AND YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We sincerely wish to express our appreciation to our Coordinator Mrs Olivia Paschali, and to our teachers who supervised, supported and guided this piece of work up to completion.

Acknowledgements go also to all Cypriot and Italian students who participated in the quantitative research.

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ABSTRACT

This study investigated Cyprus and Italy public secondary school students’ preferences and attitudes towards music. A group of students of our schoolArchbishop Makarios C’ Lyceum, Dasoupolis, undertook the design of the survey questionnaire and data analysis.

The survey was conducted among Cypriot and Italian students aged 15 – 19. As a result, data were collected from the 100 questionnaires that were distributed face to face to 50 Cypriot students and to 50 Italian students.

Based on data analysis, Cypriot and Italian students listen mostly to pop music. In Cyprus, more than 50% of the students play a musical instrument, while in Italy only a small percentage of 20% play a musical instrument. Furthermore, the number of students attending music lessons in Cyprus is twice the number in Italy. Moreover, in both countries, a huge percentage of the students tend to listen to music while studying and have several music collections. Bands are more preferable in Italy than in Cyprus. The majority of students in both countries answered that they listen to music almost every day.

In Italy students like traditional music more than students in Cyprus. Additionally, Cypriot students are more informed on music news, and music is more important in their life. In Cyprus, music makes the students feel calmer than in Italy. What is more, both Cypriots and Italians have about the same ambitions in becoming professional musicians.

Last but not least, young people in both countries believe that music unifies people.

The results of the survey were presented during our visit to Isernia in April 2012 within the Comenius Bilateral Programme.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 3

CHAPTER 1: Music and people

4

CHAPTER 2: Our study

5

REFERENCES APPENDICES Appendix A

24 25 English version of the survey instrument

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CHAPTER 1

Music seems to be the international language which may have been in existence at least 50.000 years and may have been invented in Africa. There many kinds of music for example pop, rock, metal, jazz, classic, rap, dub step, etc. The popularity of each kind of music depends on the country; the civilization; and the time period you live.

By listening to music we can learn a lot about other cultures and civilizations. Music is a timeless way of communication worldwide and it will exist in future. Nowadays technology gives us the ability listening to music everywhere we want, with our friends or family. As G. Galindo (2009) argued, “people have always found music significant in their lives, whether for enjoyment in listening, the emotional response, performing, or creating�.

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CHAPTER 2

2.1 Methodology and the Development of the Questionnaire The current study aims to find out young people’s preferences and attitudes towards music. The target population of the study was the students of the two participated schools of Cyprus and Italy. The questionnaire was translated also in the English language in order for the Italian students to participate in the survey. Data were collected from the 100 questionnaires that were distributed face to face to 50 Cypriot students and to 50 Italian students.

The survey instrument was a three-part questionnaire (see Appendix A). The first part (A) of the questionnaire is consisted of two (2) close-ended questions which are relevant with students’ demographics like gender and age.

The second part (B) contains seven (7) close-ended questions which shed light on students’ knowledge and preferences on music.

The third part (C) of the questionnaire is consisted of two (2) questions designed based on a five-point Likert-type scale. The Likert-style rating is considered to be the most common approach in rating questions (Bell, 2009). Question C1 requests form the students to indicate the frequency of listening to music whereas question C2 ask the respondents to select their level of agreement for each one of the ten (10) statements to designate how they feel towards music.

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2.2 Research analysis Data from Cyprus and Italy were both analysed with the use of the Microsoft Excel 2010.

COUNTRY: CYPRUS Part A of the questionnaire: Personal details

Table 1: Gender

Table 2: Age

Based on data 20 boys and 30 girls completed the questionnaire. As shown on Table 2, 15 students are 15 years old; 16 students are 16 years old; 18 students are 17 years old; and only one student is 18 years old.

Part B of the questionnaire Question 1

Table 3: Listening to music

In the specific question all the students gave a positive answer (100%).

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Question 2

Table 4: Kind of music

As indicated on Table 4, 34 students listen to pop music (22.5%); 30 students listen to rock music (19.9%); 16 students listen to metal music (10.6%); 12 students listen to jazz music (7.9%); 15 students listen to classic music (9.9%); 19 students listen to rap music (12.6%); and 25 students listen to other type of music (16.6%).

Question 3

Table 5: Playing a musical instrument

Based on data 26 students gave a positive answer (52%) and 24 students gave a negative answer (48%).

Question 4

Table 6: Attending private music lesson

As shown on Table 6, 12 students attend private music lessons (24%) whereas 38 students do not attend private music lessons (76%).

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Question 5

Table 7: Listening to music when you study

Data reveal that 70% of the Cypriot students listen to music when they study whereas only 30% of the Cypriot students do not listen to music when they study.

Question 6

Table 8: Solo pop stars or groups

Based on results, 48% of the Cypriot students prefer solo singers; 40% prefer bands; and 12% prefer both solo singers and bands.

Question 7

Table 9: Own music collection

As shown on Table 9, most of the Cypriot students – 37 students (74%) own a music collection whereas only 13 students (26%) do not own music collection.

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PART C of the questionnaire

Question 1

Table 10: Frequency of listening to music

Based on data, none of the students answered never listening to music (0%) and listening to music few times a year (0%). One Cypriot student listen to music few times a month (2%); 3 students listen to music few times a week (6%); and most of the students – 46 students (92%) listen to music every day.

Question 2: How do you feel about music?

Table 11: I like traditional music

Results indicate that 8 Cypriot students like traditional music (16.32%); 22 students are undecided (45%); and 19 students do not like traditional music (38.41%).

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Table 12: I like listening to music on the radio

As shown above, 4 students strongly disagree (8%); 5 students disagree (10%); 7 students are undecided (14%); 12 agree (24%); and 22 students strongly agree (44%) that they like listening music on the radio.

Table 13: I like watching music video clips on the television

Based on data, 4 Cypriot students strongly disagree with the statement (8%); 3 students disagree (6%); 11 students are undecided (22%); 18 students agree (36%); and 14 students strongly agree with the statement and they like watching music video clips on the television (28%).

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Table 14: I like watching music video clips on the internet

As shown above on Table 14, 1 student strongly disagree with the statement (2.04%); none of the Cypriot students disagree with the statement (0%); 5 students appear to be undecided (10.2%); 27 students agree (55.1%); and 16 Cypriot students strongly agree with the statement (32.65%) and like watching music video clips on the internet.

Table 15: I like being informed about music matters

Data reveal that only 6 students disagree or strongly disagree with the statement (12%); 10 students are undecided (20%); and with the percentage of 68% - 34 Cypriot students state that they like being informed about music matters.

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Table 16: I like singing

Based on data, 3 Cypriots students strongly disagree with the statement (6.12%); 4 students disagree (8.16%); 11 students are undecided (22.45%); 17 students agree (34.7%); and 7 students strongly agree (14.3%)

Table 17: Music is an important part of my life

Based on Table 17, 3 students are undecided (6%); 12 students are strongly agree with the statement (24%); 35 students agree (70%) none of students disagree or strongly disagree.

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Table18: Music helps me relax

As indicated above, 1 Cypriot student is strongly disagree with the statement (2%); 2 students are undecided (4%); whereas 12 students agree with the statement (24%) and 35 students strongly agree (70%) and believe that music help them relax.

Table 19: I would like to become a musician

Table 19 shows that 13 Cypriot students strongly disagree with the statement (26%), 19 disagree (38%); 11 students are undecided (22%); 4 students agree (8%); and 3 students strongly agree with the statement (6%) that they would like to become a musician.

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Table20: I believe music brings people together

Based on data, 1 students strongly disagree with the statement (2%); 8 students appear to be undecided (16%); most of the Cypriot students - 28 students agree (56%); and 13 students strongly agree (26%) and believe that music brings people together.

COUNTRY: ITALY Part A of the questionnaire: Personal details

20

Fifteen

Boys

15

Sixteen

Girls

10

30 20 10

Seventeen Eighteen

5 0

Nineteen

0 Table 1: Gender

Table 2: Age

Based on data 22 boys and 28 girls completed the questionnaire. As shown on Table 2, no students are 15 years old; 20 students are 16 years old; 16 students are 17 years old; 11 students are 18 years old and 3 students are 19.

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Part B of the questionnaire Question 1

50 Yes No 0

Table 3: Listening to music

In the specific question all the students gave a positive answer (100%).

Question 2 Pop

40

Rock

30

Metal

20

Jazz

10

Rap Classic

0 Table 4: Kind of music

As indicated on Table 4, 31 students listen to pop music (29.5%); 22 students listen to rock music (21%); 9 students listen to metal music (8.6%); 12 students listen to jazz music (11.4%); 7 students listen to classic music(6.7%); 11 students listen to rap music (10.5%); and 13 students listen to other type of music (12.4%).

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Question 3 60 Yes

40

No

20 0

Table 5: Playing a musical instrument

Based on data 8 students gave a positive answer (16%) and 42 students gave a negative answer (84%).

Question 4

60 Yes

40

No

20 0

Table 6: Attending private music lesson

As shown on Table 6, 6 students attend private music lessons (12%) whereas 44 students do not attend private music lessons (88%).

Question 5

40

Yes No

20 0

Table 7: Listening to music when you study

Data reveal that 66% of the Italian students listen to music when they study whereas only 34% of the Italian students do not listen to music when they study.

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Question 6

40

Solo Singers Bands

20

Both

0 Table 8: Solo pop stars or groups

Based on results, 30% of the Italian students prefer solo singers; 70% prefer bands; and no one prefers both solo singers and bands.

Question 7

60 Yes

40

No 20 0 Table 9: Own music collection

As shown on Table 9, most of the Italian students – 41 students (82%) own a music collection whereas only 9 students (18%) do not own music collection.

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PART C of the questionnaire Question 1 Never 50 40

A few times the year

30

A few times the month

20

A few times the week 10 Everyday

0

Table 10: Frequency of listening to music

Based on data, 3 Italian students answered that they never listen to music (6%); 4 students listen to music few times a year (8%); 9 Italian students listen to music few times a month (18%); 10 Italian students listen to music few times a week (20%); and most of the students – 24 students (48%) listen to music every day.

Question 2: How do you feel about music?

16 14

I totally disagree

12

I disagree

10

I am not sure

8

I agree

6

I totally agree

4

No answer

2 0 Table 11: I like traditional music

Results indicate that 15 Italian students like traditional music (30%); 8 students are undecided (16%); and 27 students do not like traditional music (54%).

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16 14

I totally disagree

12

I disagree

10

I am not sure

8

I agree

6

I totally agree

4

No answer

2

0 Table 12: I like listening to music on the radio

As shown above, 6 students strongly disagree (12%); 8 students disagree (16%); 15 students are undecided (30%); 13 agree (26%); and 8 students strongly agree (16%) that they like listening music on the radio.

20 18

I totally disagree

16 14

I disagree

12

I am not sure

10

I agree

8

I totally agree

6

No answer

4 2 0

Table 13: I like watching music video clips on the television

Based on data, none of the students strongly disagree, 14 students disagree (28%); 8 students are undecided (16%); 19 students agree (38%); and 9 students strongly agree (18%) with the statement and they like watching music video clips on the television.

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30 I totally disagree

25

I disagree 20

I am not sure

15

I agree I totally agree

10

No answer 5

0 Table 14: I like watching music video clips on the internet

As shown above on Table 14, 1 student strongly disagree with the statement (2%); none of the Italian students disagree with the statement; 5 students appear to be undecided (10%); 16 students agree (32%); and 27 Italian students strongly agree (54%) with the statement and like watching music video clips on the internet. One student didn’t answer to the statement (2%).

16 14

I totally disagree

12

I disagree

10

I am not sure

8

I agree

6

I totally agree

4

No answer

2 0 Table 15: I like being informed about music matters

Data reveal that only 3 students strongly disagree (6%) and 15 students disagree (30%) with the above statement. 15 students are undecided (30%), 11 Italian students state that they agree (22%) and only 6 students (12%) stated that they strongly agree being informed about music matters.

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18 16

I totally disagree

14

I disagree

12

I am not sure

10

I agree

8

I totally agree

6

No answer

4 2 0 Table 16: I like singing

Based on data, 8 Italian students strongly disagree with the statement (16%); 10 students disagree (20%); 5 students are undecided (10%); 18 students agree (36%); 9 students strongly agree (18%).

12 10

I totally disagree I disagree

8

I am not sure

6

I agree I totally agree

4

No answer

2 0 Table 17: Music is an important part of my life

Based on Table 17, 9 students strongly disagree (18%); 10 students disagree (20%); 9 students are undecided (18%); 11 students are strongly agree with the statement (22%); 10 students agree (20%).

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25 I totally disagree

20

I disagree I am not sure

15

I agree 10

I totally agree No answer

5 0 Table 18: Music helps me relax

As indicated above, 2 Italian students strongly disagree with the statement (4%); 5 students disagree (10%); 8 students are undecided (16%); whereas 12 students agree with the statement (24%) and 23 students strongly agree (46%) and believe that music help them relax.

16 14

I totally disagree

12

I disagree

10

I am not sure

8

I agree

6

I totally agree No answer

4 2 0

Table 19: I would like to become a musician

Table 19 shows that 9 Italian students strongly disagree with the statement (18%), 16 disagree (32%); 11 students are undecided (22%); 6 students agree (12%); and 8 students strongly agree with the statement (16%) that they would like to become a musician.

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14

12

I totally disagree

10

I disagree I am not sure

8

I agree 6

I totally agree

4

No answer

2 0

Table 20: I believe music brings people together

Based on data, 2 students strongly disagree with the statement (4%); 8 students disagree (16%); 14 students appear to be undecided (28%); 13 students agree (26%); and 13 students strongly agree (26%) and believe that music brings people together.

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REFERENCES

Bell, J. (2009), Doing your Research Project. A Guide for first-time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science, 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill Education: Open University Press.

Galindo, G. (2009), The Importance of Music in Our Society. Available at: http://www.gilbertgalindo.com/importanceofmusic.htm

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: English version of the questionnaire

Archbishop Makarios C’ Lyseum,Dasoupolis European Programme Comenius: 2011 - 2013

Dear schoolmates, Our school is the coordinator school of a Comenius bilateral European programme with an Italian school. The title of our project is

«Blending

Cultures by using music, sports and arts». For the purpose of this project we are conducting a research on:

«Music and Young People Today».

Our research concerns students aged 15-19. Students from both partner schools are requested to answer a five minute questionnaire.

Your participation is essential for the credibility and validity of our research.

Please answer all the questions to the best of your ability, belief and feelings.

There are no correct or incorrect responses.

All responses are completely confidential.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Archbishop Makarios C’ Lyseum, Dasoupolis, Comenius Bilateral Team

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PERSONAL DETAILS Tick √ the appropriate box 1. Sex: Boy

Girl

2. Age

Tick √ the appropriate box

1. Do you like listening to music? Yes

No

2. If yes, what kind of music do you like listening to? (you may give more than one answers). (α) pop (β) rock (c) metal (d) jazz (e) classical (f) rap (g) other (specify: ...................................................................................)

3. Do you play a musical instrument?

Yes

4. Do you attend private music lessons?

5. Do you listen to music when you study?

No Yes

No

Yes

6. Do you prefer (α) solo pop stars? (β) groups?

7. Do you have a music collection?

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No

No

Tick √ the appropriate box

1. How often do you listen to music? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5.

Never (1)

Few times a year (2)

Few times a month (3)

Few times a week (4)

Everyday (5)

2. How do you feel about music? Please select one level of agreement for each statement to indicate how you feel.

Strongly disagree (1)

Disagree

Undecided

Agree

Strongly agree

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Statements

1

1.

I like traditional music.

2.

I like listening to music on the radio.

3.

I like watching music video clips on TV.

4.

I like watching music video clips on the internet.

5.

I like being informed about music matters.

6.

I like singing.

7.

Music plays an important part in my life.

8.

Music helps me relax.

9.

I would like to become a musician.

10.

I believe music brings people together.

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2

3

4

5