The influence of popular music in quality high school choral programs: Perceptions of choral teachers and effective teaching strategies

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of popular music in "quality" high school choral programs. "Quality" was defined as high school choral programs that have exhibited a Superior rating at district and/or state level music performance assessments (MPAs) from the last three years (2011-2014). A 25-item questionnaire was designed to collect high school choral music educator's perceptions on the influence of popular music on choral repertoire. The population for the study included 62 high school choral music educators from the state of Florida. Demographic information on the school, choral program, and choral music teacher as well as information regarding their criteria for selecting popular music for choral concert repertoire, festival participation, and two open ended questions with opportunities to write-in responses.;Questionnaires were distributed to a purposive sample of high school choral music teachers. The data collected from the questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics that included mean, standard deviation, percentages, and frequency counts. Responses to the criteria of selecting popular music for choral repertoire were recorded using a four-point Likert-type scale. In addition, participants provided perceptions on the use of popular music and a list of three popular music choral pieces that were programmed from the last three years (2011-2014). Thirty-three questionnaires were completed for a 53% response rate.;Results found 85% of "quality" high school choral music teachers viewed the overall musical quality for selecting popular music for choral concert repertoire to be very important. SATB choir was the highest conducted ensemble than any other ensemble. The range and tessitura was considered very important by 75% of choral music teachers. Choral music educators (n= 22) provided perceptions of why they believe the use of popular music was beneficial to their choral program. The research showed that "quality" high school choral music educators included popular music in the choral curriculum. Therefore making the case of the inclusion of popular music in the choral music curriculum, the research also proved that popular music contains necessary musical and academic content as the other musical genres in the curriculum.