A study on structural analysis and preference of school ringtones: The case of Gaziantep

The aim of the study named "A Study on Structural Analysis and Preference of School Ringtones: The Case of Gaziantep" is to reach certain interpretation and evaluations by learning what kind of features of melodies that are mostly preferred as ringtones in schools in primary (middle school) and secondary education (high school) levels exhibit in terms of musical variables, and by whom, according to what criteria they are selected. The study was carried out with participation by teachers and school management from 50 primary (middle school) and secondary education(high school) schools affiliated to MEB (Ministry of Education) throughout Gaziantep province's districts such as Şahinbey, Şehitkâmil, Nizip, Araban, Yavuzeli, Oğuzeli and Nurdağı. The study named "A Study on Structural Analysis and Preference of School Ringtones: The Case of Gaziantep" has been prepared by using the scanning model which is one of the quantitative research methods. Therefore, in our study, questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The survey was prepared by the researcher. The questionnaire items were prepared to determine the commonly used school ringtones and the factors affecting their selection. Although the main method of the study is quantitative, a question in the questionnaire was asked as an open-ended question with short answers used within the qualitative method. The answers to this open-ended question were interpreted by the content analysis method. With this aspect, it is thought that it will not be wrong to think of working within the mixed method. In addition, school ringtone melodies, which are among the data obtained from the questionnaire, were written with the "Finale" software and then structural analysis was prepared. The necessary suggestions and recommendations at the end of the research are added to the conclusion and suggestions part of the research. After the answers given by the research group to the questionnaire items were examined and interpreted, it has been determined that the decisions made for the selection of the melody used as school ringtone and by whom it was chosen were often random. The main reason for this situation is the absence of comprehensive legislation about school ringtones such as law and regulations. There is only a circular (ANNEX 1) on school ringtones that was sent to schools in 2008. In this circular, there were very few mentions of the choice of school ringtone or determination criteria. With all these findings are considered, it has been seen that the melodies determined for school ringtones are mostly chosen arbitrarily by school management. Key Words: School Ringtone, Ringtone Regulation, Break, Education, Music, Music Education.