The effects of a targeted mindfulness course on student singers: A longitudinal study
25.09.15
Participant Information Sheet (Teachers)
You are being invited to take part in a research project. Before you decide it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.
Mindfulness – the background
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 2004, p.4). Judgmentally, in this definition means without emotional self-criticism.
Mindfulness is currently available on the NHS for those with chronic depression. However, research has also indicated its usefulness in the areas of education, sport and business and recently in music education.
“Parents and teachers tell kids 100 times a day to pay attention, but we never teach them how.” (Goldin, 2007)
Project Aim
The aim of this project is to investigate the effects of a course in Mindfulness for student singers in more depth and over a longer time period. You have been chosen because you are experienced in teaching vocal technique and performance skills at a high level and because you are teaching the students who are participating in the study from both before, during and after the course intervention.
Do I have to do it?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. You have up to a week to decide. If you do take part you will be given this information sheet to keep (and be asked to sign a consent/registration form) and you can still withdraw at any time and withdraw any data up to the start of analysis (30.6.17). You do not have to give a reason.
What do I have to do?
1. Reflect on any observed behaviour, learning, practice or performance changes in your students over the second Semester.
2. Take part in a short 15-20 minute one-to-one confidential interview after the intervention course in March.
What are the possible benefits/disadvantages of taking part?
A previous pilot study on Mindfulness for Singers a wide variety of the benefits of daily mindfulness exercises on learning singing technique such as improved aural and physical
sensory awareness which led to better memory, application, and transferal of new technique into practice and performance. Participants experienced greater awareness and improvement
of their vocal sound, tone colour and text communication. Problem solving, such as dealing with extraneous vocal tension, was easier, quicker, and effective. Mindfulness exercises also positively affected other aspects of singing such as teacher/pupil relationships, concentration and focus in lessons, practice, performance anxiety, performance creativity, taking criticism and daily life. There are no anticipated disadvantages.
What type of information will be sought from me?
Your name, gender and your email contact details will be needed for demographic and contact purposes.
Will my taking part in this project be kept confidential and what will happen to the results of the research project?
All the information that we collect about you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. You will not be able to be identified in any reports of publications. In the event of this research being published, you will be notified when, where and how to obtain a copy. This research is for completion of the PhD in Applied Psychology at Leeds University. Data will be archived at the Research Data Leeds repository
The anonymised audio recordings of your interviews made during this research will be used only for analysis and for illustration in conference presentations and lectures. No other use will be made of them without your written permission, and no one outside the project will be allowed access to the original recordings.
Who is organizing/funding the research?
Funding is provided by University of Leeds 110 Anniversary Scholarship. You will be paid at University pro-rata fees in thanks for your participation.
Contact: Anne-Marie Czajkowski: mc11amlc@leeds.ac.uk 0113 286 2513
Finally:
You will be given a copy of this information sheet and a consent form to keep identical to one you have signed to agree to participating in this research.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this information.
Ethics Approval Reference: PVAR 15-008