Volume 3, No. 1 September 2005

AN INVESTIGATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SELF-REPORTED REASONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR
MUSICAL AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

Brian D. Ebie
University of Arizona

ebie@email.arizona.edu

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover the self-reported reasons for involvement in after-school, extracurricular music and athletic activities of high school students. One hundred-sixty high school students participating in either extracurricular athletic or musical activities served as subjects. Extracurricular activities were defined as un-graded activities offered beyond the regular school day. An open-ended, free response questionnaire was used to determine what personal factors students felt contributed most to their reasons for choosing to participate in extracurricular activities. Questionnaires were analyzed for similarities and differences and responses were coded and categorized. Four distinct categories of subject responses emerged from the analyses: Social/Integrative, Kinesthetic, Self-Esteem, and Self-Efficacy. Athlete and musician participants shared similar reasons for participating in extracurricular activities. Both groups articulated satisfaction in sharing their athletic or musical activity with others; a need for physical expression/release through musical or athletic movement; positive feelings of self-worth as a result of participation; and a sense of self-confidence in their ability to participate successfully in athletic and musical endeavors. Conclusions and implications for future study are discussed.

Article and References

About the Author

Brian Ebie, assistant professor of music education and interim assistant dean for academic student services at the University of Arizona, has been active as a music educator at both secondary and higher education levels for over 17 years. Prior to his appointment at Arizona, Dr. Ebie was on the faculty of The University of Akron as an adjunct professor of music education and organ, and served as a faculty senator.

Dr. Ebie completed the Ph.D. in music education at Kent State University and studied choral conducting with Dr. C. M. Shearer (KSU) and Dr. Edward Maclary (University of Maryland), and organ with Barbara MacGregor (University of Akron). Active as a researcher, he is a frequent presenter at state, regional, and national research symposia and has articles published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music and Contributions to Music Education.

Dr. Ebie is currently President of Arizona Collegiate Music Educators and is a member of the national review board of the Desert Skies Symposium for Research in Music Education.