Musical training is known to be one of the most direct and effective ways to upgrade the life quality of adolescents. Playing in musical ensembles presents students with broader artistic experience than learning privately, which enhances the understan...
Musical training is known to be one of the most direct and effective ways to upgrade the life quality of adolescents. Playing in musical ensembles presents students with broader artistic experience than learning privately, which enhances the understanding of music. At the same time, it is very effective in that it gives them motivation to enjoy and participate actively in music.
To give the experience of musical collaboration to the students who play instruments, many schools are developing after school programs, and many community organizations are founding youth orchestras. In the last few years, the number of youth orchestras increased, where they educate teens through performances, weekly ensemble lessons as well as private lessons and more.
But there haven’t been many studies on youth orchestras, which makes it difficult to know the status of each organization, and because of the poor communication between orchestras, systematic and professional operation is suffering to achieve.
This study examines the reality of youth orchestras throughout the country, especially in the Seoul and Gyungi region. It investigates and analyses the curriculums, environment, how active the organizations are, and how satisfied members of the orchestras are. Furthermore, problems are addressed, followed by suggestions of possible solutions.
This study uses survey and written resources, which cover the fundamentals and meaning of ensemble education, as well as case studies of youth orchestras in foreign countries. Based on the survey, background of conductors, educational environment, problems and solutions of various orchestras are investigated. Also, background of the members, and their understanding of the orchestras are addressed.
Subjects are 34 conductors of 34 orchestras of the Seoul, Gyungi region and 272 orchestra members of 10 different orchestras, which allowed to visit directly, and the surveys are analyzed and compared.
According to the survey, youth orchestras gave positive educational effects, and students were highly satisfied. But several problems came into question, and following are some suggestions to overcome the addressed problems.
First of all, much more publicity is needed using the online resources, and active engagement between the orchestras and the public schools will be effective as well. Also, participation in orchestras should be an advantage in college entrance, like in some foreign countries.
Secondly, members of the orchestra should receive more professional education and intensive training for higher achievement. Having different levels within the orchestras to give proper education according to the students’ status will be effective. Some practical plans such as free instrument rental programs should be devised to even out the unbalance of instrument formation within orchestras.
Third, various administrative staff should be hired beside the conductor, to plan and execute what was mentioned above. Hiring volunteers would be one suggestion.
Fourth, the government should support the orchestras by providing practice and performance venues. Also, periodical performances in a fixed venue, special concerts at schools and social events, free volunteer concerts will be essential to deliver the presence of the orchestras to the potential audiences.
Not only the government should be involved, but conductors and administrators also need to change their perspectives. But above all, the leaders of the orchestras should remember that presenting the students with a plethora of positive experience and musical development is the most fundamental factor. With that in mind, youth orchestra members will achieve musical and personal development, and furthermore, it will be a great advantage for developing the whole music field within our nation. Thus, this study examines the status and problems of the youth orchestras throughout the nation, and possible solutions are suggested.