What differences do classical and popular musicians at the Royal Northern College of Music perceive there to be between them and do these perceptions have credibility?

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to highlight the differences which classical and popular musicians at the Royal Northern College of Music perceive to exist between them. The project also critiques these perceptions in order to ascertain their credibility in the musical sector outwith the Royal Northern College of Music. In order to produce this research, the researcher conducted several semi-structured qualitative interviews with several students from the Royal Northern College of Music; both from the classical and popular music schools. The researcher appropriately gathered the data from these interviews and critiqued it in conjunction with recent literature. The researcher also took into account the notion of how these perceptions were formed by applying attribution theory; in order to appropriately discuss how these perceptions may best be broken down. The results of this study show that although some of these perceived differences do indeed have credibility, the majority have a severe lack in credibility and therefor are in fact misperceptions which are currently discouraging these two types of musician from working together. The researcher argues that by breaking down these misperceptions, classical and popular musicians can be encouraged to work more harmoniously together by highlighting their commonalities as opposed to their differences. This could lead to a broader employability for both types of musicians as well as a pool of creative and artistic talents.