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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine music style and conductor race on perceptions of ensemble and conductor performance. Results found that conductor race and music style significantly affected ratings of ensemble and conductor performance. Evaluators rated a white conductor group higher than a black conductor group conducting the same pre-recorded western art music excerpt. Likewise, the black conductor group was rated higher than the white conductor group when conducting the same pre-recorded spiritual music excerpt. Music style and conductor race were also significant factors in evaluations of conductors' body expressions. Higher eye contact, facial expression, and posture ratings were given to the white conductor group when conducting the western art excerpt, and the black conductor group was rated higher on the three body expressions when conducting the spiritual excerpt. Race of the evaluator was not a significant factor in evaluations of ensemble performance or conductor body expressions.

Keywords

conduct expression eye facial posture racial ratings stereotypes

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The influence of music style and conductor race on perceptions of ensemble and conductor performance

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