An examination of the effects of competition in instrumental music programs on student motivation and self-esteem based on the perceptions of music educators

Competition has always been a controversial subject in education due to its potential to motivate students as well as its potential negative effects. The goal of this study was to examine music directors' perceived effects of competition in instrumental music programs on both student motivation and self-esteem. Through the use of an electronic survey, data were collected from sixty-nine instrumental music teachers in Pennsylvania. These participants were then categorized into three groups based on whether they used the traditional Challenge for Chairs competition, other forms of competition, or no competition. Three participants were then chosen from each group for further study using semi-structured interviews in order to collect more in-depth data. Based on the results of the electronic survey and semi-structured interviews, it was found that many instrumental music teachers do indeed use competition within their programs. The participants expressed awareness of the possible negative impacts that one-on-one competition can have on student self-esteem and do their best to prevent any negative impacts. However, a few participants choose to let possible negative impacts occur if they feel it will better prepare students for careers as professional musicians. It was also found that many instrumental music teachers also use other non-competitive forms of motivation. One particularly important finding is that although many forms of competition are used in instrumental music programs, teachers' attitudes and degree of emphasis on the competition itself has a direct relationship to the impact the competition has on student motivation and self-esteem. If teachers focus more on educational goals and learning and less on the competitive itself, then it was thought that students were more motivated and competition does not result in negative impacts on self-esteem. Alternatively, if teachers place a heavy emphasis on the competition itself, then students are less motivated and self-esteem will suffer as a consequence of losing the competition.