The Interplay Between Socio-Cultural Factors and High School Students’ Music Education Participation

This study aimed at investigating the interplay that exists between socio-cultural factors and students’ engagement in music education. A total of 289 participants, 128 males and 161 females, aged 15 to 19 years, were sampled through stratified random sampling, drawn from three purposively selected Zambian public high schools. To align the study, a predictive-correlational research design was used in light of the activity and socio-cognitive theoretical framework. The results indicate: strong peer influence in music, strong family support, and noteworthy perceived benefits of music. Church denomination, peer influence, family support, and social benefits of music showed a significant positive relationship with students’ participation, p< 0.001. In terms of age and gender, there exists a statistically significant difference. The findings indicate that students’ participation in music education programmes is strongly shaped by peer influence, family support, and their perceived benefits of music.