Music Preference 1 - Brent Hugh's personal and business web pages

Music Preference 54
subgroups within the recital audience may react in different ways. Perhaps more sophisticated
audiences prefer a different type of verbal introduction, or no introduction at all.
8. The long-term effect of informational presentations on music preference could be studied.
Do the effects of the treatments last beyond the class or recital in which they were given? If not,
then what strategies might be adopted to affect music preference in the long term?
Conclusion
This investigation shows that musicians and educators can influence the musical preferences
of students and audience members. Performers should be encouraged to know that relatively
simple presentations can influence audience members to have a greater preference for the music
they perform. Educators, too, should know that they can influence and broaden the musical tastes
of their students and that research shows that there are many good reasons to do so. Students who
develop broader musical tastes and who are slower to harden their musical prejudices are more
likely to develop deep, precise, and accurate knowledge of music and musical styles (Mok,
2000). These students are likely to develop into musical omnivores whose understanding and
acceptance of a wide range of musics leads them to a greater understanding and acceptance of a
variety of cultures and cultural values (Peterson & Kern, 1996; Bryson, 1996).
Research has shown that breaking down musical prejudice is an important tool in reducing
cultural prejudice; this investigation demonstrates that musicians and teachers can indeed affect
listeners' musical prejudices.