Talent development in music: a comparative study between Sydney (Australia) and Seoul (Korea) on the emergence of talent, especially the interface between giftedness and talent

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors which can influence the emergence of high musical ability during the developmental process of musical talent achievement, comparing students in Seoul (Korea) and those in Sydney (Australia).

The main focuses of the investigation concern the comparison of musical giftedness demonstrated in early childhood, the developmental process, and various factors, such as the environmental and intrapersonal, which can affect the emergence of talent, especially in those of different cultural backgrounds. For this purpose, Gagné’s Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT, Gagné, 2003) was adopted as an analytical tool for the present study, in particular for empirical research.

A total number of 137 students and 88 parents participated in this research. Student participants consisted of two groups: young musicians aged below 10 who show high musical achievements; and teenage students who are musically superior. All students completed a questionnaire, and their parents also completed a questionnaire. Data showed some significant differences between students in the two countries.

Three research instruments are employed based on Harnischmacher (1997). SCI (the Self-Concept Scale of Instrumental Abilities), GOP (Goal Orientation of Practice) and EAD (External Action Distraction) were included in the student questionnaire in order to examine intrapersonal catalysts (motivation) which can affect the developmental process of musical talent. A significant difference was found in SCI between countries. Self-concept of student groups in Sydney was significantly higher than that of students in Seoul among all age groups concerning musical abilities. However, there were no significant differences in GOP and EAD between students in Seoul and Sydney. Other differences emerged concerning the role of parents, expenditure on music lessons, time spent on practice, and environmental factors. In particular, cultural milieu was revealed as one of important environmental factors in the present study.