Classic Express Research project by Ilona Sie Dhian Ho

In a combined qualitative and quantitative research the influence of storytelling in concerts for children is analyzed. In a controlled setting, The Classic Express (mobile concert hall), groups of schoolchildren attend either a concert with or a concert without storytelling. The groups, similar in socio- economic background and age, are compared. In a quantitative research the involved listening, the felt emotional intensity, the interest in classical music and the interest in actively playing an instrument, will be measured. For quantification new grading systems are developed by scientists and musicians in a collaborative process. In a qualitative research on the influence of storytelling the focus is on children with severe learning disorders. The emotional responses of these children in concerts with and without storyelling, and in combination with participatory elements (moving, gestures) are observed by teachers and caretakers, They compare their observations in the concert to the normal behaviour of their pupils. Both Interviews with the teachers and their grading of arousal, attention and emotional levels in the concert will provide data that will be analyzed by the reserachers. This research is the first study of The Classic Expression Research Group, a group of researchers from the Royal Conservatoire and Leiden University, collaborating to provide new insights on the impact of presentation techniques in classical concerts.

Camilla Genee

Research Design

“How does storytelling, and additionally specific designed participatory elements, influence the response of children with learning disorders on a musical performance?”

In this research I will be studying three almost identical concerts, two will be accompanied by a storyteller and the other will not. Based on the VAK learning method one of the concerts will be accompanied by gestures. These gestures will be performed by the storyteller in the story, the children will have to copy. The same gestures will be performed by the storyteller (and copied by the children) once the musicians start to play their pieces. The gestures are designed and fit the story and the music.

During these concerts the teacher will be observing the children and measure their behavior. For example, this will involve assessing how children react differently in the concerts.

Concerts:

Concert 1 (control group)
Music performance + technical info (no story)

Concert 2
Music performance + story

Concert 3

Music performance + story + specific designed participatory elements (based on the VAK learning method).

Tip

Tip