The intent of this study was to observe four at-risk adolescent females participating in a community youth choir. Their self-concept and behavior were monitored for sixteen weeks to see if this music experience had any impact on them.The four girls were institutionalized at a treatment facility for troubled juveniles and wards of the state of Indiana.The girls participated in the White River Youth Choir.Qualitative data were gathered via rehearsal observations, weekly cottage dinner visits, journal entries, formal and informal dialogues. telephone calls, written correspondence. and miscellaneous materials.Two standardized inventories were used as supplementary data.The Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 (CBCL/4-18) was filled out by a counselor. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale: Second Edition (TSCS: 2) was completed by the girls.Data management and analysis were aided by QRS NUD*IST software (Non-Numerical Unstructured Data Indexing. Searching, and Theory-Building).The naturalistic inquiry technique of triangulation was emphasized when discovering patterns among various interrelationships.Emerging themes were:music plays a role in these girls lives, a three versus one division separates the girls, the girls segregate themselves from others, a community choir may not be the panacea, and indications that the girls have been or are at-risk sexually.Behavior and self-concept changes occurred but could not be attributed specifically to choir involvement.Findings of the study suggest that uncontrolled factors (i.e. staff turnover. communication problems, absenteeism, and anti-social behavior) must be addressed before at-risk teenage girls could successfully assimilate themselves into a community youth choir.An on-campus music experience is recommended for institutionalized female adolescents. Organizing a music ensemble having support of institutional staff, emphasizing short-term commitment, using a staff member as director, allowing ownership by using familiar music as well as letting the girls have a say in its choice. providing reasonable challenges. and giving girls individualized attention is suggested. / School of Music