An investigation of strategies employed to enhance music performance in selected christian churches in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Ogari, E. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study is designed to investigate the strategies employed to raise the standards of music performance in selected Christian churches in Nairobi County. Lack of proper strategies is perceived to affect the music performance in churches therefore, resulting to low standards. The study sought to determine the purpose attributed to music performance by worshipers in selected churches in Nairobi County. It sought to establish the availability of appropriate resources that support music performance in the churches, evaluate practical voice and instrumental rendition as presented by each of the churches and investigate strategies that have been put in place by the churches to improve music performances. The study was premised on Bertalanffy's General Systems theory (1968) which focuses on the relations between the parts, more especially on the arrangement of, and relations between parts and how they work together as a whole, how they are organized and interact with each other and this interaction is what determines the properties of that system. The implication of the theoretical framework postulates that the Church as a whole system, depends on its departmental sub-systems like music and worship to make it function well, based on the principle of inter-relation among sub-systems. The study was descriptive in nature and adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Research sample was selected through purposive sampling method of 20 out of the 200 Christian churches and was conducted in Nairobi County. Stratified random sampling was used to select the target population of Church choir members, pastors, music directors, members of the congregation, youth and first church elders who complement the surveys. Data were collected by use of these three instruments: questionnaires, interviews and observation schedules. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through percentages and frequencies. Analysis and interpretations of data helped the study to answer questions regarding the purpose attributed to music performances, strategies and resources used to enhance music performance. The results were presented in tables of frequency distributions, percentages, pie charts and bar graphs. The major findings of the study included the members of the different churches using different instruments to promote musical performance in the churches, employment of different strategies such as use of technology to promote music in the churches and having various resources as pianos, keyboards and others such as guitar to aid in performance of music. The study recommended that churches should invest more resources in promotion of music, look for funding from major stakeholders to help promote music in the church and lastly the church should use different strategies in music to woo more people to the church. The study suggested that further research be done in other counties other than Nairobi to establish other strategies that promote music.
Description
Department of Music, 98p. 2015, ML 457 .O34