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Survey Findings
Our team created surveys to gather information on the demographics of the Jubilee House community and to find out families’ level of interest in a music program. Administering surveys to the families of Jubilee House was a critical step to finding out if families were interested in music, a music program, and or a strings music program. Gathering information on the backgrounds of JH families are important in shaping the recommendations we are providing to our partner.
Our survey was distributed to a community of around 65 students and we received a total of 29 responses. The respondents included parents, grandparents, and guardians answering on behalf of their children or grandchildren, as well as in their own interest.
Our key survey findings are as follows:
- Overall, most survey respondents are native Spanish speakers and their region of origin is South America.
- Our respondents’ ages varied from young to elderly, with more than half over the age of 36.
- The resource most commonly used by Jubilee House families are the English classes.
- Most Jubilee House families live in the local area, using walking as their method of travel.
- There is a relatively strong interest in a potential music program from those who responded and a slightly weaker interest in a potential string music program.
Interview Findings
While our community partner initially sought out to create a program for students in 4th and 5th grade, our interviews showed that the interest in a music education program is much broader that that age range. Though one of our interviewees had children in the target age range, they expressed interest in a music program on behalf of both themselves and their family members. Violin, guitar, and piano were mentioned as instruments of interest.
Multiple interviewees expressed that they and/or their family members would not be able to take music lessons at the moment because of jobs, study schedules, children’s ages, or because family members still live in another country. However, they shared that if a program is created, they would be interested in it in the future.
Based on the interviews, we found that there is significant interest in a music education program at Jubilee House, so long as it has a broad age range. Parents said that they would be interested in their babies taking lessons when they are old enough, and others said that their elderly parents would be interested as well.
Beyond Hartford and Expert Interviews
The findings drawn from our Beyond Hartford research and Expert Interviews suggest there are effective building blocks to creating and maintaining a music program that addresses barriers to music education and provides a positively impactful learning experience.
These music program building blocks include using accessible modes of instruction (ex: teaching by demonstrating physical movements with instrument), teaching culturally relevant music, focusing on boosting their students’ confidence, and striving to cultivate a learning community where students feel safe and supported.