Abstract
M.Phil.
Despite functioning in faith-based environments where the spiritual well-being
of the faith-based community is of the utmost importance, music leaders often
neglect to tend to their personal spirituality. Much has been researched and
written about the personal experience and spirituality of spiritual leaders
(pastors) of faith-based communities yet the other major role players (music
leaders) of faith-based communities are often overlooked. The purpose of this
study was to explore and describe music leaders’ experience of their personal
spirituality and to develop guidelines to assist music leaders in integrating
their personal spirituality into their role as music leader.
By approaching the study from the framework of Personal and Professional
Leadership (PPL) as well as employing a social constructionist ontological
methodology the researcher approached the study in two phases. Phase one
aimed at exploring and describing music leaders’ experience of their personal
spirituality and phase by means of meaning making phenomenological
interviews with six music leaders that have a minimum of five years of
experience in their field. Before embarking on phase 2 (Develop guidelines to
assist music leaders in integrating their personal spirituality into their role as
music leader) the data was analysed independently by making use of an
independent coder as well as the researcher using Tech’s open and
descriptive method. This was followed by a conversation where unanimity was
reached between the independent coder and the researcher.
This study found that music leaders have a deep-seated desire for a
connection with significance and meaning in their work and that their personal
spirituality can be described as being just that, a connection with significance
and meaning. It was also found that they have the tendency to lose sight of
this connection when getting caught up in the performative nature of their
work...