Voices from within: perceptions of community youth orchestras and musical identities of child musicians

The purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study was to observe and interview children from underserved communities who were taking part in a community youth orchestra in Los Angeles in order to determine how their participation impacted their perceptions of musical identity. Little is currently known about (1) the perspectives, insights, and observations of the child musician, (2) the reasons for participating in community youth orchestras, and (3) how musical identity in Latino children is impacted through participation. This study provided a voice to Latino children from underrepresented social and cultural groups by inquiring about their musical experiences while taking part in a community youth orchestra, and examined how they viewed themselves in relation to friends, family, and the community at large through the lens of a number of socio-cultural theories. Data collection for this study was completed in three phases over a period of two months. Phase one included non-participatory observation and the gathering of documents and artifacts from children and adults. Phase two included one-on-one semi-structured interviews with child participants. Phase three consisted of triangulation interviews with adults. The children were enrolled in an after-school, community-based music program, and attended music classes at an elementary school. Children articulated their musical identities and evidence suggested that their beliefs were shaped through orchestral experiences, and social and cultural factors. Personal, social, and musical factors each played a role in their musical identity formation. The children demonstrated increased positive attitudes towards musical activities, and enjoyed time spent with family, teachers, and peers, suggesting that experiences within a community youth orchestra were important for a child's surroundings, social development, and.