Dear Conductors
I, Christina Firkins, am a second year masters student at the University of Pretoria studying MIT ICT (Information Science). I am researching the ‘Information Seeking Behaviour of Music Conductors within the Repertoire Selection Process’ and would appreciate it if you could participate in the study as a music conductor (choral or orchestral). My supervisors are: Dr M Barrett-Berg (Department of Music) and Prof I Fourie (Department of Information Science).
For a bit of context, information seeking behaviour is the study of people’s behaviour when they are trying to find something (documents, website, book, video, etc.). My research focuses on how conductors search, find, and acquire for music to include in current or future repertoire as well as all aspects that can influence their decisions throughout the selection process.
This research would allow for people, including administrators within the profession as well as institutions/organisations that have ensembles, to realise that the repertoire selection process is complex and time-consuming. This could allow for conducting students to learn from experienced individuals as well as start to work out the best methods to consider when trying to accomplish the task.
Please find below the link to the online questionnaire. Please note that you will be asked if you are willing to participate in the research before you can access the questions. You are not obligated to participate in the research. All responses are anonymous and no personal information (name, surname, age, gender, contact information, etc.) is needed to complete this research.
Link: https://forms.gle/aH8f9QCqKyoVSjCi9
If you have any questions before completing the questionnaire, feel free to contact me (christina.firkins@up.ac.za or u18169733@tuks.co.za) and I will answer you as soon as possible.
Kind Regards
Christina Firkins
