This study investigates the meaning which students find through membership of a music ensemble. As teacher-researcher data was collected from interviews, rehearsals and performances. The work is based on observation of thirteen members of a primary school jazz ensemble.
The case studies are presented in a narrative style focussing on individual students. The reports have been grouped according to similarities in their responses.
The study identifies five main factors which give meaning to music making for individual members of the ensemble. It then draws some inferences for making music meaningful for students.