Title of Project: Expanding Accessibility & Artistry to Classical Music: A Choral Application of Musical Signing

 
Principal Investigator: Erin Sellers, senior Theatre and Public Relations double major, esellers@zagmail.gonzaga.edu, 208-827-6947, Gonzaga University

Other Investigators: None
 
Advisor or Sponsor Information: Dr. Timothy Westerhaus, Associate Professor Music, Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies; Department Chair, westerhaus@gonzaga.edu, (509) 313-6737, Gonzaga University
 
                                                                                                                                                           
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

We invite you to take part in a research study Expanding Accessibility & Artistry to Classical Music: A Choral Application of Musical Signing at Gonzaga University. The purpose of this research is to explore both new and established methods of interpretation to better understand how to make classical music more accessible to people who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. Please ask any questions about this study with the researcher.
 
About 30 people will take part in this research.
 
PROCEDURES
Should participants choose to take part in the survey, they will first be asked to answer demographic questions. This study uses two pieces of music: an excerpt from Beethoven’s Gloria, and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. Each clip will be played multiple times, with a different method of visual interpretation.
First, participants will play the clip of Beethoven’s Gloria with no interpretation or accessibility measures applied. Then, they will answer a series of questions to measure their response to the music. Then, participants will play the same clip of music with a video of standard ASL signing and closed captioning provided and answer the same set of questions. Next, they will play the same clip of music with a video of enhanced musical signing interpretation provided and answer the same set of questions. Then, they will play the same clip of music with a video of multiple signers interpreting different parts of the music at the same time and answer the same set of questions. Finally, they will play the same set of music accompanied by a video with equalization software applied to visualize the music and answer the same set of questions.
After this, participants will move onto the second piece of music, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. First, participants will play the clip of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata with no interpretation or accessibility measures applied. Then, they will answer a series of questions to measure their response to the music. Finally, they will play the same clip of music with a video of a dance choreographed in response to the music and answer the same set of questions.

This procedure will require participants’ time and attention to play the clips and analyze their responses to them.
 
TIME TO PARTICIPATE
If you agree to be in this study, it will be a one time survey lasting up to 90 minutes. You may be contacted after the survey for additional questions.
 
DISCOMFORTS AND RISKS
There are some normal psychological risks associated with this survey, including the potential for mental strain from continued focus and answering questions that assess how hearing impairments affect the experience of music.
 
POTENTIAL BENEFITS  
This survey seeks ways in which to make classical music more enjoyable, artistically meaningful and accessible to those with hearing impairments. For both survey participants and others with hearing impairments, the potential benefits lie in this research being a foundation for more creatively interpreted events locally. The video clips participants will play may also provide them with a new and meaningful experience of classical music that may previously have been unavailable to them. For all survey participants, the potential benefits are an opportunity to help make art more accessible and an opportunity to spend time listening to and thinking critically about their own personal experience of classical music.


   
COSTS FOR PARTICIPATION
 
Costs: There are no costs associated with participating in this survey.
 
Treatment and compensation for injury: Any medical expenses resulting from participation in this study will not be reimbursed by the investigators.
 
 
COMPENSATION FOR PARTICIPATION

You will not be paid for being in this research study.
 
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
 
Your research records that are reviewed, stored, and analyzed at Gonzaga University will be kept in a secured area in and will be stored digitally in university Google Drive files accessible only to the Principle Investigator and Research Advisor. In the event of any publication or presentation resulting from the research, no personally identifiable information will be shared.
 
We will keep your participation in this research study confidential to the extent we are able. However, it is possible that the Gonzaga Institutional Review Board (a committee that reviews and approves research studies) may inspect and copy research records.
 
STUDY WITHDRAWAL

If you choose to participate, you are free to withdraw your permission for the use and sharing of your information at any time.  You must do this in writing. Write to Erin Sellers and let her know that you are withdrawing from the research study. Her email address is esellers@zagmail.gonzaga.edu.
 
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION

Taking part in this research study is voluntary. If you choose to take part in this research, your major responsibilities will include watching six clips of music and answering all questions thoughtfully and honestly. You do not have to participate in this research. If you choose to take part, you have the right to stop at any time. If you decide not to participate or if you decide to stop taking part in the research at a later date, there will be no penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
 
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
You have the right to ask any questions you may have about this research.  If you have questions, complaints or concerns or believe you may have developed an injury related to this research, contact Erin Sellers at 208-827-6847.
 
For more information about participation in a research study and about the Institutional Review Board (IRB), a group of people who review the research to protect your rights, please contact the Gonzaga IRB at IRB@gonzaga.edu.
 
SIGNATURE AND CONSENT/PERMISSION TO BE IN THE RESEARCH

Your signature below means that you have received this information, have asked the questions you currently have about the research and those questions have been answered. You will receive a copy of the signed and dated form to keep for future reference.
 
By signing this consent form, you indicate that you are voluntarily choosing to take part in this research.