A Comparison Between Musical Upbringing Of Jewish And Arab Students In Israel

Abstract

This paper presents initial findings from partial analysis of a questionnaire that aims to identify individual and cultural differences related to the musical upbringing of Jewish and Arab Israeli students. The questionnaire was developed as part of a larger study. The participants are students who study for a music education bachelors degree and a teaching certificate in Israel. It is hypothesized that the students musical upbringing is related to their musical identity and their decision to choose a music education career. Data were collected from 50 Jewish and Arab Israeli students through a closed-ended questionnaire with the inclusion of four open-ended questions. The questionnaire had 36 items covering several individual aspects such as musical support and encouragement, musical background and experience, listening habits, musical knowledge, personal beliefs related to music teaching, and music career aspirations. The preliminary data indicate that there was a significant difference between Jewish and Arab students in the level of encouragement and support related to music activities that they received from parents and from music teachers. Jewish students were more encouraged to learn and play music than Arab students. The same trend was found regarding singing. Statistically significant differences were also observed concerning the age in which the students started learning a musical instrument. Jewish students began instrumental music studies at an earlier age than the Arab Students.