Student perceptions on teaching for cultural appreciation: a case study

In my research, I investigated culturally appreciative teaching strategies for integrating non-Western choral music into collegiate choir programs. I focused my student-centered case study, incorporating Brazilian repertoire, to explore how context-driven pedagogy, rooted in historical, cultural, and sociopolitical understanding, might deepen students musical engagement and cultural appreciation.

I designed learning experiences that extended beyond the score, including meetings with culture bearers, discussions about the music s historical, political, and social context, and incorporating movement into the learning process. Students in the University Treble Choir responded by demonstrating stronger musical understanding, heightened emotional connection, and greater respect for the cultures represented. They also reported a more profound sense of community and purpose within the ensemble. My findings support the call by current music education scholars for a shift in choral education from performance-centered methods to those that prioritize student engagement, cultural appreciation, and inclusive curriculum design. Ultimately, my research suggests that when students meaningfully engage with the people, stories, and traditions behind the music they sing, they may experience more than artistic growth, potentially building empathy and connection through the music of a culture outside of their own.