0000000000388607
AUTHOR
Gunter Kreutz
Validation of the German Version of the Music-Empathizing-Music-Systemizing (MEMS) Inventory (Short Version)
Background: Kreutz et al. (2008) developed the Music-Empathizing-Music-Systemizing (ME-MS) Inventory to extend Baron-Cohen's cognitive style theory to the domain of music. We sought to confirm the ME-MS construct in a German sample and to explore these individual differences in relation to music preferences. Methods: The German adaptation of the MEMS Inventory was achieved by forward and backward translation. A total of 1014 participants (532 male, age: 33.79 ± 11.89 years) completed the 18-item short version of the MEMS Inventory online. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed and cut-off values were established to identify individuals who could be classified as ME, Balanced, or M…
Development of vocal performance in 5th grade children - A longitudinal study of choral class singing
The primary aim of the study was to assess the effects of choral class singing on vocal performance in primary school children. In particular, changes of the singing voice in terms of voice range profiles (VRP) and dysphonia severity index (DSI) were measured over the period of one school year. A further aim was to compare the effects of choral singing and regular music curriculum. A total of 50 5th-graders were assigned to two groups. Tuition of the choral singing group (n = 32) entailed a focus on singing in class as well as weekly 30-minute-sessions of special vocal training in small groups. Children in the regular music tuition group (n = 18), which also included singing, were given ext…