Research Ethics Committee Number - ETH2223-0327

Date - 19

December 2022

Version 1.1

Participation Information Sheet

REC: ETH2223-0327 PIS Version 1.1 19

December 2022 Page 1

An ethnographic study of the interaction between musicians and audience members in live

classical music concerts.

Invitation

You are invited to participate in a research study in The Department of Performing Arts at City,

University of London. The research undertaken in this study will form the basis for a thesis to be

submitted by Christopher North for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Music in the School of

Communication & Creativity. The research will investigate the interaction and relationship between

musicians and audiences during performances of live music. Before you decide whether you would

like to take part it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it

would involve for you. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it

with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more

information

Name of researcher

Christopher North, MA, MMus, MSc, AKC

chris.north@city.ac.uk

https://linktr.ee/chr1sn0rth

+44 7906 320 164

Name of supervisor

Professor Stephen Cottrell

stephen.cottrell.1@city.ac.uk

+44 (0)20 7040 3272

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this study is to explore how musicians experience the interaction with audiences

during live concerts. A significant body of research has been undertaken looking at the live music

experience from the audience perspective. Little research has been undertaken looking at the

interaction from the performer perspective; this study will help towards addressing this shortfall in

research.

Why have I been invited to take part?

You have been invited to take part in this study either because you are a musician who performs at

live concerts or are otherwise connected with the organising and delivery of live music concerts, or

you are a member of an audience.

Do I have to take part?

You are under no obligation to take part in this research, but your input into this research would be

very much appreciated.

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What will happen if I take part?

The focus of this research will be the use of informal interviews which will normally last for an hour;

the length of interview, however, will be dependent on the length of time each participant has at

their disposal. It may be that some participants and the researcher feel that a follow up interview

might be useful for gaining further information at a later date; this follow up would be done at the

discretion of the participant. It is hoped that participants will feel comfortable having their

interviews recorded. The recordings will only be used for transcribing notes, they will be stored

(having been digitally encrypted) and will remain confidential at all times. The recordings will be

transcribed either manually by the researcher or using digital software. No participant

demographics will be included when using digital transcription services. Only transcription services

which follow General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements will be used.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

The main possible disadvantage to participants could be in bringing their personal thoughts,

experiences and views into the public domain. On occasion it might be felt that personal information

which participants share might cause professional or other personal embarrassment or difficulties

with other musicians, colleagues, or audiences. If such information was felt by the participant (and

the researcher) to be important to the research, then it would be possible to negotiate how this

information could be used and how it could be effectively anonymised. Use of such material would

always be at the discretion, and with permission, of the participant.

Will my taking part be kept confidential?

Participants will normally be identified by name, role and approximate age. Participants can, of

course, choose if they wish to be identified more or less explicitly in the final thesis. Participants can

also request to be fully anonymised in the thesis. All levels of anonymity will be at the discretion of

the participant.

What will happen to the results of the study?

The information from the interviews will form the basis for a PhD thesis. The thesis will then be

examined by City, University of London. It will then be stored electronically and made available in

accordance with normal PhD thesis arrangements and City, University of London protocols.

What if I have further questions, or if something goes wrong?

If this study has harmed you in any way, or if you wish to make a complaint about the conduct of

the study you can contact City, University London phone +44 (0)20 7040 3040. You can then ask to

speak to the Secretary to Senate Research Ethics Committee and inform them that the name of the

project is “An ethnographic study of the interaction between musicians and audience members in

live classical music concerts”, reference: ETH2223-0327.

You can also write to the Secretary at:

John Montgomery j.montgomery@city.ac.uk

Research & Enterprise Office

City, University of London

Northampton Square

London, EC1V 0HB

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This study has been approved by City, University of London Music Departmental Research Ethics

Committee.

Data privacy statement

City, University of London is the sponsor and the data controller of this study based in the United

Kingdom. This means that City is responsible for looking after your information and using it properly.

The legal basis under which your data will be processed is City’s public task.

Your right to access, change or move your information are limited, as we need to manage your

information in a specific way in order for the research to be reliable and accurate. To safeguard your

rights, we will use the minimum personal-identifiable information possible (for further information

please see https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-

data-protection-regulation-gdpr/lawful-basis-for-processing/public-task/).

City will use your name and contact details to contact you about the research study as necessary.

The only people at City who will have access to your identifiable information will be the researcher

(Christopher North) and supervisor (Prof Stephen Cottrell).

You can find out more about how City handles data by visiting

https://www.city.ac.uk/about/governance/legal. If you are concerned about how we have

processed your personal data, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (IOC)

https://ico.org.uk/.

Insurance

City University London holds insurance policies which apply to this study, subject to the terms and

conditions of the policy. If you feel you have been harmed or injured by taking part in this study,

you may be eligible to claim compensation. This does not affect your legal rights to seek

compensation. If you are harmed due to someone’s negligence, then you may have grounds for legal

action.

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Consent Form

REC reference number: ETH2223-0327

Principal investigator: Prof Stephen Cottrell

Researcher: Christopher North

Title of Study: An ethnographic study of the interaction between musicians and audience members

in live classical music concerts.

Please tick or

initial box

I confirm that I have read and understood the participant

information dated 19

December 2022 (version 1.1) for the

above study. I have had the opportunity to consider the

information and ask questions which have been answered

satisfactorily.

I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free

to withdraw without giving a reason without being penalised or

disadvantaged.

I understand that I will be able to withdraw my data up to the

time of submission of the thesis.

I agree to the interview being audio or video recorded.

I agree to City recording and processing this information about

me. I understand that this information will be used only for the

purpose(s) explained in the participant information and my

consent is conditional on City complying with its duties and

obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation

(GDPR).

I would like to be informed of the results of this study once it has

been completed and understand that my contact details will be

retained for this purpose.

I agree to take part in the above study.

____________________ _________________________ _____________

Name of Participant Signature Date

____________________ _________________________ _____________

Name of Researcher Signature Date

When completed, 1 copy for participant; 1 copy for researcher file.

Full Participant Information Sheet and Consent From can also be found at: http://linktr.ee/chr1sn0rth