An Exploratory Study of Motivational Factors for Student Participation in High School Choral Programs

The question of who is enrolling in choral ensembles, and why they choose to, is one of long-standing interest and concern in the choral music education profession. The purpose of this exploratory descriptive study was to determine which factors high school students rated as the most important motivators to enroll in choral ensemble classes and examine any impacts demographic factors might have on those ratings. A survey was completed by high school choral students ( N = 122) from four states, addressing students’ ratings of the most important motivators and their current favorite aspects of choral participation. Data analysis indicated two overarching categories for these factors, singing and external factors, of which choral students rated singing factors as the most influential. Teachers should highlight the opportunities for singing and growth in singing when encouraging new students to join their choir programs.