Leading Music Education International Conference

Perceptions of Female Students in a Same-Sex School: Gender Stereotypes and Musical Instruments

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of gender and musical instruments of female students in a same-sex school. This naturalistic study focused on the experiences, perspectives and observations of students in their real-world environment. Data sources included: student survey, junior and senior focus groups, individual interviews and a teacher-researcher reflective journal. Research questions included: (a) How do students in an all-girls’ school perceive gender stereotypes (as previously identified in research) in relation to musical instruments? (b) How do students in an all-girls’ school describe their experiences of playing their instrument in a co-education environment? (i.e.: Honour Band, Band Camp.) The findings of this study revealed that the participants possessed an overwhelming perception that: gender stereotypes exist - however the participants do not feel them in their particular school. The impact of the student’s environment, both inside and outside of school played a key role in the experiences of the students. Students who had experience playing their instrument in a co-educational environment expressed a heightened awareness of societal pressures and expectations in relation to gender and musical instruments; in addition, they cited the presence of competition in the co-educational environment.