Get Involved

Participation Information

HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL NUMBER: H-2022-230

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Emily Dollman

STUDENT RESEARCHER: Billy St John

STUDENT’S DEGREE: Honours in Music Education Research

Dear Participant,

You are invited to participate in the research project described below.

What is the project about?

The documentation of traditional Zimbabwean music is an important aspect of the preservation of the nation’s indigenous history, identify and culture. As Zimbabwe continues to develop and grow with keeping in line with a globalised world, interest in cultural heritage, especially in the arts, is diminishing quickly. The Zimbabwe Government has developed an exciting Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum, but challenges remain in its implementation, including a lack of resources, teacher knowledge and skill. Education could play an important role in the preservation and sharing of traditional Zimbabwean music. We are interested in uncovering the implementation of the Zimbabwe curriculum and how you, as a music teacher or performance group, include traditional music into education, such as the songs you use and how you teach them. This project aims include interviewing current and pre-service music teachers in Zimbabwe to uncover what traditional music is being taught, how, with what resources and any associated challenges. The project also aims to document traditional songs appropriate for educational uses as a form of preservation of traditional Zimbabwean music culture. These songs will create the beginnings of a digital resources that teachers can access to teach the traditional music of Zimbabwe.

Who is undertaking the project?

This project is being conducted by Billy St John for the fulfilment of an Honours Degree in Music Education Research at the University of Adelaide under the supervision of Dr Emily Dollman. Billy St John’s interest in music education in Zimbabwe, and the traditional music of Zimbabwe, stems from his time spent as a music teacher at Falcon College, Esigodini (2006 – 2009), and the Peterhouse Group of Schools, Marondera (2010-2018). Assisting in this research is Mr Bright Mutyandaedza, a heritage and tourism development consultant from Harare, Zimbabwe. Funding for this research has been supported by the Decie Denholm Scholarship in Music.

Why am I being invited to participate?

You are being invited as you have been identified as either a music teacher, a pre-service music teacher or a performing arts group between the age of 20-65. It is important to note that participation in this project is completely voluntary. This project relies on the knowledge from music teachers and performing arts groups in Zimbabwe with a focus on traditional music and culture. Teachers and performance groups have been selected through known contacts of the student researcher, Billy St John, and local contact, Bright Mutyandaedza and by expanding on those connections.

What am I being invited to do?

You are being invited to share your knowledge and understanding of traditional music in Zimbabwe and its use in music education. You may participate in any stage of the project such as an interview, lesson/music rehearsal observation and/or a live music performance.

Interviews: a list of sample interview questions is attached to this information sheet. Interviews can take place at a time and location of your convenience. Interviews will be audio recorded for future analysis. Transcripts will only be made of quotes used in the final report.

Lesson or music rehearsal observation: It may be beneficial to the project to observe how teachers include Zimbabwean traditional music in practice through a lesson or music rehearsal observation. This may or may not include audio or video recordings. Notes may include how the lesson is introduced, language used, purpose for the lesson, how challenges and student questions are overcome, repertoire used and student reactions/engagement.

Live music performances: Audio and video recordings of live music performances for the purpose of documenting Zimbabwean traditional songs for educational use. After a full performance, songs may be broken down into small sections to learn how to recreate the performance. Any other relevant information, such as background and English translation, may also be recorded.

Please note: a follow up may be requested, and the use of recordings (audio and video) and photographs will be used extensively in this project.

How much time will my involvement in the project take?

Interview process – 30-45 minutes

Lesson/Choir/Band observations – 60-90 minutes

Live Music Performance – 90-120 minutes

Are there any risks associated with participating in this project?

To the best of our knowledge there are no foreseeable risks involved in participating in this research. Participants should note that participation, non-participation, or withdrawal will have no impact on their employment/relationship(s) with the researcher.

What are the potential benefits of the research project?

A digital music resource, that you as music teachers can access, that features music scores, audio and visual recordings, and other information about Zimbabwean traditional songs for use in educational settings. The sharing of knowledge has been part of African tradition for a long time. In education, teachers are constantly sharing knowledge to further develop and improve teaching methods, skills, and knowledge. Through a collective effort to combine knowledge of traditional songs from Zimbabwe, how it is taught, exploring repertoire, and sharing challenges, music teachers can further their understanding and develop skills in teaching Zimbabwe music.

Can I withdraw from the project?

Participation in this project is completely voluntary. If you agree to participate, you can withdraw from the study at any time prior to commencing the formal interview, observation and/or performance process.

What will happen to my information?

Confidentially and privacy: While participants will not be named in the published materials, it may not be possible to guarantee their anonymity given the nature of the study and/or small number of participants involved. Participants will have the option to be acknowledged in the project or use an alias such as “Teacher A from school B”. If school children are involved in any audio recordings, all student, teacher, and school information will be removed. The utmost care will be taken to ensure that no personally identifying details are revealed.

Storage: Your information will be securely stored by Billy St John and backed up to cloud services from the University of Adelaide. Your data will be retained by the University of Adelaide for a minimum of 5 years.

Publishing: The main objective is to create a digital resource to be shared for educational purpose through a website. A report of the final project will also be available for you. Participants have the option to be named in the report and/or publishing of recordings. This digital resource may include audio and video recordings from performances, observations and interviews.

Sharing: Copies of your interview responses recordings, and transcripts, lessons observation materials and live performance footage can be made available to you at your request. Participants will be provided with the transcribed quotations to view, approve, amend or ask to remove from the project before inclusion in final report.

Future research: Your responses and contributions to the project may be used for future research on similar topics by the student researcher.

Your information will only be used as described in this participant information sheet and it will only be disclosed according to the consent provided, except as required by law.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the project?

Billy St John

Student Researcher

billy.stjohn@adelaide.edu.au

Emily Dollman

Principal Supervisor

Assoc Director Music Education and Pedagogy

Elder Conservatorium of Music

emily.dollman@adelaide.edu.au

+61 8 8313 3677

What if I have a complaint or any concerns?

The study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Adelaide (approval number H-2022-). This research project will be conducted according to the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (Updated 2018). If you have questions or problems associated with the practical aspects of your participation in the project or wish to raise a concern or complaint about the project, then you should consult the Principal Investigator. If you wish to speak with an independent person regarding concerns or a complaint, the University’s policy on research involving human participants, or your rights as a participant, please contact the Human Research Ethics Committee’s Secretariat on:

Phone: +61 8 8313 6028

Email: hrec@adelaide.edu.au

Post: Level 3, Rundle Mall Plaza, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000

Any complaint or concern will be treated in confidence and fully investigated. You will be informed of the outcome.

Contact can also be made with Mr Bright Mutyandaedza who is assisting with the project in Zimbabwe.

Mr Bright Mutyandaedza

Heritage and Tourism Development Consultant

Address: Office 717 7th Floor South Wing, Throgmorton House, Cnr Samora Machel & Julious Nyerere, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone: +263 773 423 627

Email: britemutya@gmail.com

If I want to participate, what do I do?

Please contact student researcher or the local contact in Zimbabwe if you would like to participate.

Please also visit – http://www.billyjamesmusic.com.au/get-involved to register your interest and complete a consent form.

Student Researcher: Mr Billy St John

Local contact: Mr Bright Mutyandaedza

Yours sincerely,

Emily Dollman

Principal Supervisor

Billy St John

Student Researcher

Bright Mutyandaedza

Zimbabwe Contact