Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This is a mixed-methods longitudinal data set. This project looked at the 'secret garden' of conservatoires of music. This is an area of higher education where the one-to-one lesson format has traditionally formed the core of teaching and learning. Conservatoires have hitherto been under-researched. The project addressed this gap, working towards a new understanding of how western classical musicians are created and how their learning experiences and outcomes can be enhanced. This collection contains longitudinal data from September 2004 until July 2007, drawing on interviews, questionnaires, observation and routine institutional assessments. In particular, 117 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 conservatoire students, and 276 conservatoire students completed one or more of six structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Further information can be found at the project's ESRC award web page.

Main Topics:

Identity; attitudes to learning; career aims; musical history; short and long-term goals; motivation; preparation for performance; social interaction; participation in institutional practices; strengths and weaknesses.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview

Telephone interview

Self-completion

Educational measurements

Email interview