Poverty, adolescent males, and singing: A profile of schools in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gather and explicate the narratives of adolescent males in Bogotá, Colombia about their experiences in school choral music instruction. The data were analyzed to explore the participants’ reasons for continued or discontinued participation in school-based singing activity. There were twelve participants, ages 12 to 17 years, representing four schools with music program funding provided through the Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá. Interviews were conducted in-person and on-site, with Spanish-English translation support as needed. Findings reflected themes of culturally relevant pedagogy, and previous research of adolescent male choral singers’ motivations, interests, personal goals, and persistence. Two unique findings emerged, that impoverished living conditions provided insulation from common stereotypes about males, singing, and choral music; and that these same conditions amplified the importance of the music teacher in their students’ lives.