An Investigation into the Awareness of Students of the Career Prospects in Music Education in Secondary Schools in Kogi State

Abstract

The study investigates the students’ awareness of the career prospects in music education in secondary schools in Kogi State Senatorial Zone. To carry out the study, three (3) research questions are designed for data collection, while two (2) null hypotheses formulated and tested in the study. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) students is used as representatives of the population sample. The instrument to be used for data collection is questionnaire on the awareness of students on the career prospects in music education in Kogi State. The statistical weighted mean is used to analyze/answer the research questions; for testing of the null hypothesis, Z test is used. The researcher is optimistic that following an investigation into the awareness of students of the career prospects in music education in secondary schools in Kogi State, the secondary schools in Kogi State will be aware of teaching/instructing as a career prospect in music education though many do not opt for it. This investigation fully creates awareness that composing music is a career prospect in music education. They are fully aware that performance is a career prospect in music except on the aspect of being a concert performer. They are aware of employment with the media/music industry as a career prospect in music. However, some are not aware that working in the television/radio houses as music presenter or newscaster is a career prospect in music. They are fully aware of establishing a private music venture/business as a prospect in music education as a career, though not usually feasible due to huge financial involvement. There is no significant difference between the awareness of the urban and rural secondary school in Kogi State on the career prospect in music education. There is a significant difference between the female and male secondary school students in Kogi State on their awareness of the career prospects in music education. The findings had a lot of implications which were briefly discussed later. Therefore, based on these findings and their implications, recommendations are made followed by suggestions for further studies, summary and conclusion.