Older/Younger Sibling Pairs in the Context of a Community Outreach Children’s Choir

Abstract

This article was designed to explore the behaviors observed and document the interactions of older and younger siblings in a children’s choir rehearsal environment. Observations by a music education student observer, the director/teacher of the group, and some parent recollections indicate that the sibling interactions do have a primarily positive impact on music and social behaviors in this children’s choir environment. Some younger siblings emulate older sibling behaviors, while some participate in independent ways including direct participation with the teachers. Observational and anecdotal evidence suggests that younger siblings are attracted to the music making and elect, or can be encouraged by older siblings, parents/caregivers, and others in the environment (children and adults), to actively participate in a variety of ways rather than simply watch and listen.