Music Education Commons^™

Candace Mcmurray Senior Jazz Voice Recital, Candace Mcmurray

Honors Theses

This senior jazz voice recital is aimed to convey the artistry that has blossomed from studying jazz music as a vocalist. The repertoire included in this recital spans music written as early as 1923 and as late as 2017 encompassing a wide variety of jazz styles to reflect all the different jazz eras as well as how other genres in those times have influenced those compositions. The recital includes ten songs with a variety of instrumentation that are aligned with the jazz idiom. Some songs include a typical jazz combo of voice, piano, guitar, bass, and drums while others also …

Senior Recital, Saxophone, Owen Kilpatrick

Honors Theses

Postcards is a senior recital celebrating saxophone repertoire from diverse composer nationalities, including composers of Czech, French, Japanese, and German background. While this program only begins to scratch the surface of both composer and stylistic diversity present throughout the saxophone repertoire, it represents some of the most significant influences on the music available to saxophonists. Bookending the recital program are two French contest pieces, Brilliance by Ida Gotkovsky and Lamento et Rondo by Pierre Sancan. The morceaux de concours, or competition pieces, written for the Paris Conservatory are an important tradition because of the history of saxophone pedagogy in Paris. …

Bridging The Gap: An Academic Recital For Solo Voice Featuring The Music Of Underrepresented Female Composers Throughout History, Keiley Vieau

Honors Theses

Keiley Vieau, mezzo-soprano, presented her honors thesis senior academic voice recital on Friday, April 19th, 2019 at 3pm. The performance took place at the Lee Honors College in the lounge. This recital was put on in collaboration with pianist Molly Sanford. Music performed included works by all female composers, such as Barbara Strozzi, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Nadia Boulanger, Augusta Holmès, Liza Lehmann, and Amy Beach. This abstract will provide a brief overview of the theme of this recital as well as address the basic musical characteristics of certain pieces from the repertoire programmed.

The recital was based solely …

March 2020 School Of Music News, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

• 3/12/2020 Update - Changes to the status of events, including cancellations, will be updated on a daily basis.
• School of Music Responses to COVID-19
• 3/13/2020: Message from the Director Regarding COVID-19

Senior Recital, Brody Roland

Honors Theses

No abstract available.

What High School Students Want To Know About Music: An Information Literacy Instruction Course For A High School Music Camp, Michael J. Duffy Iv

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

The SEMINAR High School Summer Music Camp at Western Michigan University provided an opportunity to offer intensive music related information literacy instruction to a small group of high school students over a two-week session. These students participated in an assessment study in which they provided answers to questions related to information literacy learning outcomes before and after the course of instruction. This case study presents a model for lessons and curricular structure for an information literacy course in music for high school students.

Senior Recital, Jaron Kirshenbaum

Honors Theses

This recital, although it featured works learned over the last six months, is really a culmination of all the work I have put in over the last three and a half years here at the Western Michigan University School of Music. It is a program that brought together friends and colleagues, and featured solo works that show just how far I have come since I arrived here as a freshman clarinet player in the Fall of 2015. Although the diverse music selection and the decision to do mainly single movements from larger works is not what you would typically see …

Teaching Body Mapping In The Orchestra Classroom, Gretchen Clemans

Honors Theses

For young string musicians, it is easy to fall into the habit of playing with improper body alignment and unhealthy technique. In response, this study investigates the ways in which the teaching of healthy body techniques can be taught in the orchestra classroom, in order to prevent students from experiencing pain, tension, and muscle strain while studying their instrument. Overall, the results from the research group of students showed that over half of the students have experienced pain while playing their instrument. Furthermore, the results indicated that students responded positively to the content presented. After being introduced to the material, …

The Litmus Initiative - Enabling Teachers To Recognize Domestic Human Trafficking, Bethany Hansen

Honors Theses

Every day, an estimated 100,000 residents of the United States are sold for sex. At least half of these victims are under the age of 18. Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) has tragically plagued the U.S. for decades and even centuries, but it has only come into the public spotlight within the last fifteen years. As a result, there are few widespread sources of information about DMST, and even fewer resources for victims and survivors. DMST is a branch of human trafficking, which the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 defines as “(A) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex …

2018 School Of Music News, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

• Oboist joins percussion duo in free concert
• Tom Rainey Trio to entertain audiences in free recital at WMU
• Distinguished alumnus joins free University Symphony Orchestra concert
• Jazz performance will feature digital processing and live electronics
• Chicago-based Kontras Quartet returns for free performance
• 'Fantasies for the Piano' presented by new faculty member
• Student and faculty join forces to offer varied musical program
• Critically acclaimed jazz and world music all-star band comes to Dalton Center
• Horn Day open to anyone who wants to learn more about the horn
• Alumnus Matt Giraud joins Gold Company's 40th-anniversary show
• Trombone alumnus returns for solo recital …

2017 School Of Music News, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

• PEN Trio to present new works for oboe, clarinet, bassoon and electronics
• Renowned trombonist to perform at WMU
• Stulberg silver medalist to perform with University Symphony Orchestra
• WMU baritone presents free recital of operatic excerpts
• Capitol Quartet to perform standard works, new music and jazz
• Technology-based music performance featured at WMU
• Accomplished trombonist Brad Edwards to perform in free recital at WMU
• Vocal supergroup MOSS to perform with WMU jazz ensembles
• Trio performs with WMU emerita in free concert
• Prism Quartet to perform free recital and with Symphonic Band
• Electric guitarists take the Dalton Center Recital Hall stage
• MacArthur Genius …

A Call For Hearing Loss Prevention Programs In College Music Education Programs, Jason Taurins

Honors Theses

Music educators, ensemble conductors, and students who participate in musical ensembles are exposed to sound pressure levels which exceed the criteria for NIOSH. As such, this population should be enrolled in hearing loss prevention programs. Ensemble directors (many music educators fall into this category) have a direct role in influencing the sound pressure levels produced in rehearsals. Music educators have a role in influencing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors of their students. Because of the health risks of noise exposure, and the role music educators (and ensemble directors in general) have in influencing their students, hearing loss prevention should …

The Perfect Pitch 2015, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2015:

• Tradition and Innovation
• Ensemble Activities
• Music Education
• Composition
• Music Therapy
• Innovation/Technology
• New Faculty and Staff
• Retirement
• Student Achievements
• Faculty News
• Alumni News
• Remembering
• Honor Roll
• A Musical Legacy

The Status Of, Teacher Attitudes Towards, And The Lmpact Of Music Therapy Lnclusive Music Education In Michigan, Ann E. Armbruster

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine Michigan music teachers' attitudes and perceptions regarding their training for and experience with special learners in their classrooms, and their collaboration and consultation with music therapists. Eighty-six music educators completed a 51 item questionnaire. Results showed that music teachers' attitudes and perceptions are generally positive toward inclusion. Mean scores for attitude and perception were not influenced by whether participants had or had not taken a course in special education as a student, whether they had access to continuing education regarding inclusion through their school district, or participants' predominant teaching area or degree …

The Perfect Pitch 2014, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2014:

• What’s New
• New Faculty & Staff
• 100 Years Reflected
• New CDs & Publications
• Student Achievements
• Faculty News
• Retirements
• Alumni News
• Remembering
• Bullock Performance Institute
• Honor Roll
• Guest Artists

A Preliminary Study Of The Articulatory And Acoustic Features Of Forward And Backward Tone Placement In Singing, Krista Wyllys

Masters Theses

A variety of terms exist for describing tone quality in singing, and voice scientists, voice therapists, teachers of singing, and students of singing use different terms to describe the same sound. One aspect of tone quality is tone placement. Teachers of singing often rely on imagery and imitation to elicit correct tone placement from students of singing. More concrete data about what produces forward and backward tone placement could supplement singing teachers’ current practice of using imagery and imitation to elicit a desirable tone quality. This study examined forward and backward tone placement to determine the articulatory gestures and acoustic …

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: Welcome To The Zoo, Sarah Zegree

Honors Theses

I have been working as the 5th-8th Grade music teacher at the Gagie School in Kalamazoo, MI for the entire 2012-2013 year. This mucis program represents not only the culminating project of my work at Gagie, but also a representation of all the skills I have acquired in my years at WMU in the hopes of using them in a variety of possible future careers.

I got the idea for this program from my students. In wanting to make sure they had a say in what music we performed I asked them what their favorite songs were. The overwhelming answers …

The Perfect Pitch 2013, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2013:

• Director's Note
• Student Centered
• Discovery Driven
• Globally Engaged
• Celebrating 100
• Alumni Activities
• Student Achievements
• Faculty Activities
• Welcome New Faculty & Staff
• Retirement
• Honor Roll
• Guest Artists

The Perfect Pitch 2012, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2012:

• 99 Years and Counting
• What’s New
• World Class
• Student Achievements
• Alumni News
• New Faculty and Staff
• Faculty News
• Recent Retirements
• 2011 Honor Roll
• Remembering

The Perfect Pitch 2011, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2011:

• Letter from the Director
• What’s New?
• Welcome New Faculty Members
• The World Comes to the School of Music
• WMU Music in the National Spotlight
• Music Staff Lead the Way
• Fruits of Collaboration
• Student Achievements
• Alumni News
• Faculty Achievements
• Honor Roll
• Faculty and Staff

The Perfect Pitch 2010, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2010

• Letter from the Director
• What’s New?
• School of Music Abroad
• Scholarships: Investing in our Students’ Potential & Excellence
• Student Ensemble Appearances & Performances
• Carl Doubleday Retires
• Publications & Recordings
• Student Achievements
• All-Steinway Project Update
• Alumni News
• Faculty Achievements
• Spotlight on Music Education
• Bullock Performance Institute

The Perfect Pitch 2009, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2009:

• Letter from the Director
• Trent Kynaston: Master Teacher
• Accelerated Degree in Music
• Tours and Road Trips
• The 21st Century Musician
• Sparks of Innovation
• Faculty Ensembles-in-Residence Portrait
• The Joy of Middle School Band
• Farewells & Welcomes
• 2009 Pioneer Symposium
• Giving Back
• Student Success
• Alumni News
• New Recordings & Books
• Faculty Achievements
• Aaron Dworkin to visit SoM
• Bullock Performance Institute
• Remembering Mel Ivey
• All-Steinway Project Update

Music And Literacy: Current Trends And Common Approaches Of Music Therapists In Early Childhood And School Settings, Julie A. Palmieri

Masters Theses

Reading and writing is the key to all learning, and providing children with effective literacy practices is one of the primary goals of educational systems. The purpose of this study was to identify the current trends and common approaches of professional music therapists who incorporate literacy learning into their practice. A total of 192 participants responded and completed the survey entitled Music and Literacy: Current trends and common approaches of music therapists. The study investigated if music therapists address the specific areas of literacy (vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, and phonics) that had been identified through a review of literature. …

The Relationship Between Creativity Style And Music Career In University Music Students, David A. Zmudka

Masters Theses

This study investigated the relationship between creativity style and choice of musical career among university students. Data was collected from 74 students enrolled in one of four majors in music; music education, music therapy, instrumental performance and jazz performance, as assessed by View: An Assessment of problem solving style, which included 34 items defining problem-solving style across three dimensions including Orientation to Change (OC), Manner of Processing (MP), and Ways of Deciding (WD) scales. Subjects also provided demographic information concerning their declared major, preferred musical career, and level of education. Significant differences were found between the four groups on …

A Survey Of The Special Learner Training Of Music Educators In Ohio, Dorianne J. Nicholson

Masters Theses

Music educators from the Ohio Music Educators' Association were surveyed to investigate the special learner training received in undergraduate and graduate programs. The survey was designed to provide demographic data and information about course settings for special learner training, observations, "hands-on" experiences, topics covered in both undergraduate and graduate courses, and the need for additional training.

Of the 200 surveys sent to Ohio music educators, 83 usable responses were returned. Twenty-four percent (n=19) of the respondents reported having special learner training in their undergraduate programs. Of these 19, 42% were required to participate in observations, and 24% were required to …

The Effects Of Music Listening And Progressive Muscle Relaxation On The Anxiety Level Of Adjudicated Adolescent Males In A Residential Treatment Setting, Ned David Gladfelter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of music listening and progressive muscle relaxation on the anxiety level of adjudicated adolescent males. Sixty-five delinquent, adolescent males in a residential treatment facility took part in either a music listening treatment, a progressive muscle relaxation treatment (Bernstein & Borkovec, 1973), or a combination of both methods, and the effects of each approach on the self-perceived anxiety level of the subjects were determined.

The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1983) and a Subjective Units of Discomfort Scale were used to measure levels of anxiety. Data gathered from these instruments revealed that …

The Use Of Musical Wind Instruments As An Expiratory Therapy With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients, Ellen R. Griggs Drane

Masters Theses

The use of musical wind instruments as an expiratory therapy with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients was compared to the traditional inspiratory treatment of the Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) during a twelve week pre - posttest study. Sixteen subjects, attending an out patient respiratory rehabilitation program, were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, receiving musical wind instruments, or the control group, receiving the IMT.

Measures for the study were: Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) as measured by the Pulmonary Function Test; physical endurance measured by the Twelve Minute Walk Endurance Test; …

The Effects Of Performance Anxiety Management Training On Musicians’ Self-Efficacy, State Anxiety And Musical Performance Quality, Nancy Barnes Mansberger

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Performance Anxiety Management Training (PAMT) on levels of perceived self-efficacy, state anxiety, and performance quality of undergraduate musicians performing under stressful conditions. Nineteen undergraduate music majors were selected for this study. Ten received PAMT, and nine received no treatment. Subjects were tested immediately prior to a stressful evaluative performance jury on self-assessed measures of self-efficacy and state anxiety. Adjudicating music faculty determined subjects' level of performance quality. Analysis of variance revealed that subjects in the PAMT group had significantly higher scores on measures of self-efficacy, and significantly lower scores …

The Hamilton Rating Scale For Depression And Rhythmic Competency: A Correlational Study, Michael J. Migliore

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between a test of rhythmic competency and the psychomotor retardation subtest of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Twenty-six endogenously depressed inpatient adults participated in a medication-free pretest. Posttests were administered When a) values reached therapeutic blood levels and b) subjects were clinically observed to have improved. Results demonstrated modest correlations between the Hamilton scale and several subtests of the Rhythmic Competency measure; however, based on this study, the Rhythmic Competency Test could not be recommended as an indicator of psychomotor retardation.

Melody Plus Rhythm Drill: A Computerized Melodic Dictation Drill Program, Pamela Ann Covert

Masters Theses

The Melody Plus Rhythm Drill is a melodic dictation drill program written for the Apple II microcomputer. It is designed to be used in conjunction with college-level aural comprehension courses. This program is unique in that students must enter both pitch names and rhythm values for all melody notes.

Included in this paper are a discussion on the pedagogical aspects of this type of drill, a user's manual for the program, a breakdown of the actual program into its component subroutines, and a complete listing of the program.