Uses and Perceptions of Student Leadership Roles in a Secondary Choral Program

This study examined student leadership structure in a high school choral program, including data from a junior high director in the district. It aimed to evaluate the role and influence of a designated student leader in a secondary choral program through perceptions from student leaders, student members, and directors. Collected data included surveys, focus groups, individual interviews, field notes, and observation notes. The researcher analyzed the data using the constant comparative method. The resulting data fit into four level 2 codes: program structure, roles of student leaders, influence/impact on the choir, and personal impact of leadership on student leaders. The study found that student leadership roles are largely beneficial to student leaders and a choral program and can be utilized in a variety of formats. Still, there are some aspects of student leadership structures in a secondary choral program, relating to relationships and responsibility, that should be approached with caution.