The Relationship between Average SAT Scores (Total, Verbal, and Math) and Concert Festival Participation in South Carolina Public High Schools

The purpose of this study was to determine what relationship existed between band participation at Concert Festival and average SAT scores in public high schools in South Carolina. The study was aimed at providing administrators, band directors, and policymakers knowledge on current research in music education as it applies to academic performance. Approximately 46 % of high school bands in South Carolina participated in Concert Festival over a three-year period. Data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and predictive statistics. Box plots were used to visually present the descriptive statistics. Based on the visual analysis, an independent samples Mest was performed to test for a relationship between Concert Festival participation and average SAT scores. Once the null hypothesis was rejected, an ANOVA was performed to tier those bands that performed at Concert Festival by level of music and average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math). Another ANOVA was performed to tier bands by ratings and average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math). The findings showed that there was a statistically significant positive relationship between those high schools whose band participated in Concert Festival and average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math). Once this relationship between participation at Concert Festival and average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math) was established, a statistically significant positive relationship was established between level of music performed and average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math) for high schools whose band performed at Concert Festival. Further analysis did not establish a relationship between average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math) and ratings for high schools whose band participated at Concert Festival. A relationship between Concert Festival participation and average SAT scores (Total, Verbal, and Math) could help define the role of the band program in the academic context of the school environment. An emphasis and knowledge base by administrators, band directors, and policymakers on band performance could further enhance the efforts of the link between music education and academic achievement