Digital Commons Network^™

Etudes For Marimba: An Assessment Of Intermediate And Advanced Techniques With Four New Works, William Alderman

Dissertations, 2020-current

Over the past century, the marimba has experienced rapid growth. From its construction, performance practices, and technical approach, the instrument has been elevated to a well-respected instrument. Since the development of the five-octave marimba in the early 1980s, literature for the marimba has expanded exponentially. Through this expansion, works for the beginning and advanced performer has become widely available. However, a gap in literature exists within intermediate to intermediate-advanced range. Although it is of utmost importance for the progressing performer, this stepping stone literature can be difficult to find. In response, I have written my book, Etudes for Marimba: Four …

Survey And Analysis Of Undergraduate Music Education Percussion Methods Courses In Relation To The Practical Needs Of Secondary Music Educators In American Public Schools, Bryan C. Pickering

Dissertations, 2020-current

The majority of Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education require students to enroll in a series of instrumental methods or techniques courses. These courses cover fundamental techniques and pedagogical approaches that prepare students for their future careers as music educators. Due to the percussion instrument family having a large scope of material that needs to be covered, it is commonly perceived by those who teach the classes, that Percussion Methods classes within an undergraduate Music Education degree operate on time frames that make equal coverage of all instruments and topics a pedagogical challenge within a standard academic semester.

The purpose of …

Are All Things Equal In The Back Row?: Issues Of Bias And The Female Percussionist, Pamela Rae Riggles

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

In observing bands or orchestras at all levels of performance proficiency, very often it becomes apparent to the onlooker that certain sections of instruments tend to be made up of a greater number of either male or female performers. For instance, the percussion and trumpet sections of ensembles often tend to be predominately male (Steinberg, 2001). This begs the question as to what implications there may be for those who have chosen an instrument that is not considered a “typical” instrument for their gender to play? What challenges might these musicians face, and what biases, if any, might they have …