Variations in the performance standards of the Kampala Archdiocesan parish music festivals

Abstract

The study examines variations in the performance standards in the Kampala Archdiocesan Parish Music festivals. By looking at its organization and the different stakeholders, the researchers seek to account for inconsistences in performance standards of this festival. The study analyses how the stakeholders‟ interests and preferences are reflected in the actual festival performances of the different choirs. The study also considers festivals as spaces for innovation and avenues for determining best music performers and performances, looking at the factors behind such declarations. The study reveals that stake holders play an important role of shaping the direction of the festival as well as determining the performance standards. In addition, organisation and funding for the festival are also some of the reasons which account for the presence of variations in the performance standards. Organisers are responsible for the late communication of the festival venues, assigning incompetent adjudicators who are sometimes few in numbers to judge the many participating choirs which arouse complaints among choirs. Therefore, inconsistences in the festival can be minimized if all stakeholders play their parts rightly. This study required an understanding of the reasons for the existence of variations in the performance standards of the festivals therefore researchers collected data using qualitative method of research. The method was used through acquiring opinions of the different stakeholders and analysing it against the different data that we had. The stakeholders include among others, Kampala Archdiocesan Music Committee (KAMUCO) parish leaders, parish choirs, music directors, audience, sponsors, and hired musicians who were selected using simple random, purposive and volunteer sampling techniques. The researchers also employed a variety of tools which include; interviews, participant and direct observation, focus group discussions, questionnaires and document analysis.