Effect of virtual reality exposure and aural stimuli on eye contact, directional focus, and focus of attention of novice wind band conductors
Evelyn K. Orman · International Journal of Music Education · 2016
This study examined the effects of virtual reality immersion with audio on eye contact, directional focus and focus of attention for novice wind band conductors. Participants ( N = 34) included a control group ( n = 12) and two virtual reality groups with ( n = 10) and without ( n = 12) head tracking. Participants completed conducting/score study sessions twice a week for four weeks. Individual videotaped conducting sessions of a live ensemble before and after treatment served as pre and posttest measures. No significant ( p > 0.05) changes due to virtual reality immersion were found. Further analyses with a larger dataset ( N = 68) showed those working with audio ( n = 34) significantly increased ( p < 0.05) eye contact for the fast portion of the musical selection. Findings indicate (a) a sense of reality is created during virtual reality immersion and (b) the use of sound during score study may be beneficial for increasing conductor eye contact.