Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Performance History Of Mahler’S Das Lied Von Der Erde Focusing On Bruno Walter And Leonard Bernstein, Nisan Ak

Theses and Dissertations

This document will explore the relationship between performance practices of Bruno Walter’s and Leonard Bernstein’s interpretations of Das Lied von der Erde. Bruno Walter was a student and assistant of Gustav Mahler. The composer never heard his unnumbered symphony played by an orchestra. Walter gave the first performance of the piece and made the first recording. This author considers Leonard Bernstein to be Walter's interpretational successor of Das Lied von der Erde. Throughout the document, the author will explore the relationship between the three musicians through the analysis of Das Lied and a detailed exploration of interpretations of …

Composition Of Musical And Visual Devices To Create Moments Of Resolution In Marching Arts Production Design, Ryan John Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This research study identifies techniques of creating and releasing musical tension in audio-visual performance media, specifically within the marching arts. A successful composition in this medium is defined, in part, by the coordination of effects between pitched musical elements, non-pitched (percussive) musical elements, and movement (choreographed) elements. Such compositions create a concert performance situation in which there is aesthetic gratification and a sense of sophistication in which aural stimuli interact in congruence and in conjunction with visual stimuli. By identifying the creative practice through conversation with practitioners, designers, choreographers, and composers, the common practices of the genre can be identified …

The Clarinet Music Of Dr. Austin Jaquith: A Performance Guide, Zachary Aaron Bond

Theses and Dissertations

Dr. Austin Jaquith is a critically acclaimed composer whose repertoire “runs the gamut from scoring for visual media to composing instrumental and vocal works in the contemporary classical genre.”¹ He has contributed to the repertory of the clarinet by offering three works, Rhapsody for Clarinet and Piano, Ballad for Clarinet Solo, and Mediation…Separation…for Clarinet and Piano. Each work is a demonstration of highly technical and musical skill and expression, showcasing influences from composers from the past brought together to create a wholly unique style, pushing the boundaries in the capabilities of both instrument and artist.

The purpose …

Electronic Learning: An Educator’S Guide To Navigating Online Learning In A Collegiate Horn Studio, Michelle Beck

Theses and Dissertations

Inarguably one of the most abrupt changes our education system has seen in the last 50 years, online learning has swept the country. To protect both the health and safety of its citizens, the country has shifted to an online format. With this change comes opportunity for growth and advancement of online learning curriculum. At the same time, this quick move has led many educators through an uncomfortable reassessment of teaching practice and pedagogical approach. In this document I will examine the many aspects of e-learning. E-learning is defined as “utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a …

A Legacy Preserved: A Comparison Of The Careers And Recordings Of Stanley Drucker And Karl Leister, Peter M. Geldrich

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s musician has an unprecedented amount of recordings through which they can influence their tonal concept, guide their phasing, and instill appropriate musical style. However, this abundance of recordings is both a treasure trove and a labyrinth in which one can lose their way without proper background on the recording artist. This context is necessary to determine the recordings in which a particular artist is most adept, and what stylistic lessons the artist best imparts. This document provides a comprehensive study of the careers and recordings of two of the most important clarinetists of the twentieth-century; Stanley Drucker and Karl …

The Singing Voice Specialist: An Essential Bridge Between Two Worlds, Rebecca Holbrook Loar

Theses and Dissertations

For more than 35 years, voice teachers have been seeking an educational platform to adequately prepare a Singing Voice Specialist. Several degree ideas have been proposed, none of which have been fully implemented, leaving the field of Singing Voice Specialty without a certifying body or way to achieve licensure or certification. This document seeks to uncover the current progress in the field of Singing Voice Specialty, the progression of educational programs geared toward Singing Voice Specialization, possible accrediting associations, and future education needed to propel this profession forward.

In seeking these answers, experts within various aspects of voice care are …

Time’S Up: How Opera Is Facing Its Own Me Too Reckoning, Craig Price

Theses and Dissertations

Opera as an artform has a very misogynistic history. Many of the most beloved works in the standard repertory involve female characters as victims of violence, or an abuse of power by male characters. These works have recently been cast in a different light, in part due to a greater cultural awareness inspired by the “Me Too” movement. This study was executed to explore productions of standard repertory operas around the world, and how they have been handled in light of current culture. The study examines popularly performed operas Carmen, Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro, and …

A Trumpet Player’S Performance Guide Of Three Selected Works For Trumpet, Cello, And Piano, Justin Wayne Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This document explores, in detail, three works for trumpet, cello, and piano. These works were performed on a chamber recital before the writing of this document. The three selected works are Statements, Commanding by Robert J. Bradshaw, Elegy by Alex Shapiro, and Trio for Trumpet, Violincello, and Piano by Eric Ewazen. This document focuses on the musical performance of these three works, ways to prepare specific sections, and issues the author and his trio experienced during the preparation of these works. To the author’s knowledge, no previous documents have explored these three works. The field of study focusing on the …

Sample-Based Hip-Hop Music And Fair Use Laws In The Age Of Streaming Services, Michael Vanbuhler

Senior Theses

This thesis takes an in depth look at the history and processes behind creating sample-based music. Sampling was popularized during the beginnings of hip-hop music and now a wide variety of genres use samples or techniques created by sample-based music. Early hip-hop beats took samples of drum breaks or a portion of a track from another artist or band. As hip-hop grew in the late 80s and early 90s, the use of samples became a question of intellectual property rights and if it was acceptable to sample someone’s copyrighted work. Lawsuits in the early 90’s helped to create new caselaw …

The Supply Chain Of Digital Music: Empowering Independent Artists Through Availability And Accessibility, Justin Reed

Senior Theses

The process of creating and sharing digital music can be viewed from the “supply chain” perspective: identifying the resources and value-adding tools that ultimately result in a final audio product. By researching and documenting the steps involved in this process, I identify this supply chain as a series of steps, an itinerary, or process model of digital music creation. Moreover, I found that each step in the process can be assess for its accessibility and usability by independent artists. I conclude by exploring how this democratizes the music industry by affording independent artists the necessary tools and empowerment to create …

Romanticism In Nineteenth-Century Russian Nationalistic Music: Case Studies Of Glinka’S Ruslan And Lyudmila And Cui’S Mystic Chorus, Jeffrey Crayton Yelverton Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is comprised of two case studies of the works Ruslan and Lyudmila and the Mystic Chorus, which were composed by two nineteenth century Russian composers Mikhail Glinka (1804–1857) and César Cui (1835–1918). The Chapter on Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila trances the influence of German romantic thought on the opera as a reinterpretation. The theories of Novalis” (1772–1801); Friedrich Schlegel (1772–1829); and E.T.A. Hoffman (1776–1822) contribute to the reinterpretation of the opera as a dream that privileges German romantic ideas over Russia nationalistic ones. The Chapter on Cui’s Mystic Chorus, on the other hand, focuses on mysticism …

The Mathematics Of Rubato: Analyzing Expressivetiming In Sergei Rachmaninoff’S Performances Of Hisown Music, Meilun An

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively investigate the nature of Rachmaninoff’s playing, with a specific focus on his own compositions. The primary source of data for this study is inter-onset intervals, which will be captured through the use of Sonic Visualiser. Inter-onset intervals are calculated by taking the difference between the onset of two adjacent notes, and can be used to calculate an instantaneous tempo. Various statistical methods will be used, including the variance, moving average, Pearson correlation coefficient, and a custom defined metric. The calculation of variance is especially useful in detecting major deviations from the average …

A Pedagogical Analysis Of Dvořák’S Poetic Tone Pictures, Op. 85, Nathan Macavoy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to pedagogically analyze each of Antonìn Dvořák’s (1841-1904) Poetic Tone Pictures (op. 85) for both technical and artistic challenges. Historical and theoretical analysis give context but are limited so that the pedagogical value of the set can be fully explored.

Poetic Tone Pictures is a set of thirteen programmatic character pieces that were originally popular but have been overlooked in recent history. This is largely due to Dvořák scholars’ discrediting attitude toward his solo piano writing. The recent interest in recording his piano works has brought Poetic Tone Pictures positive critical reviews. This study …

An Index Of Choral Music Performed During The National Conventions Of The American Choral Directors Association (1991-2019), Jonathan Randall Hall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to index and examine the repertoire of choirs selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conventions/Conferences between the years of 1991-2019. This is a replicated study of William Jones’s dissertation, An Index of Choral Music Performed during National Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (1960-1987). The researcher accumulated and examined National Convention/Conference programs with the following objectives in mind: to investigate literature trends reflected in National Conventions/Conferences, and to provide choral conductors a guide through which they may gain an overview of literature performed on National Convention/Conference programs. The …

Cultivating Socially Just Concert Programming Perspectives Through Preservice Music Teachers' Band Experiences: A Multiple Case Study, Christian Matthew Noon

Theses and Dissertations

As the music education profession continues to adapt to the needs of an increasingly pluralistic society, scholars and practitioners have begun to concern themselves with issues of social justice (e.g., equity, diversity, inclusion, or access). For band directors, one way to address such topics is through the purposeful programming of music by underrepresented composers or music that otherwise conveys messages about societal issues. As such, undergraduate music education majors who participate in concert bands might encounter a variety of compositions. Further, given that those ensemble experiences may be a primary factor in preservice music teachers’ commitment to their degree programs—and …

An Instrumental Approach To Sight Singing: The Use Of Mock-Fingerings, Catherine E. Howland

Senior Theses

This pilot study was designed to test whether mock-fingerings could be a beneficial strategy for sight singing. The researcher hypothesized that mock-fingerings would help students to be more accurate sight singers. Participants, wind instrument players at the college level, were asked to sight read two examples, one while “fingering along” and one with their hands still. Mean scores were compared among music majors and non-majors, and it was found that the mock-fingerings did not have a significant effect on the mean scores of participants. The mean scores were often comparable between the fingering condition and the control condition, suggesting that …

The Early Piano Music Of Richard Wagner, Annie Rose Tindall-Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to educate a wider audience about Richard Wagner’s early piano music, specifically the Sonata in B-flat Major, the Fantasia in F-Sharp Minor, and the Grand Sonata in A Major. The study seeks to make these three, largescale piano works more accessible for study, and to draw attention and spark interest in the piano compositions of Richard Wagner.

The study consists of six chapters, a bibliography, and two appendices. The first chapter includes an explanation of why this study is needed, a brief biography of Richard Wagner, related literature, methodology, and limitations …

A Stylistic Analysis Of Alexander Tcherepnin's Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 78, With An Emphasis On Eurasian Influences, Qin Ouyang

Theses and Dissertations

Russian-born Alexander Nikolayevich Tcherepnin (Jan 23, 1899-Sept 13, 1977), a contemporary of Virgil Thomson, Henry Cowell, Igor Stravinsky, and Arnold Schoenberg, made far-reaching contributions as a pianist, conductor, and composer. His unique contrapuntal system “Interpoint,” employment of rhythmic variation, adoption of polyphonic structure, and use of the nine-step scale secured his place in music history as a celebrated composer of the twentieth century.1 Throughout his life he traveled to various countries. 1928-1947 is a period during which Tcherepnin came under the influence of “Eurasian” ideas (the synthesis of Russian and Eastern cultures). He developed new musical formulas by exploiting musical …

The Great Transformation: A Recent History Of The Carolina Band, Kylie F. Dolbier

Senior Theses

The marching band of South Carolina’s flagship university was not always the emblem of school spirit and pride that it is today. Only ten years ago, the Carolina Band was seen by some as unsuitable alongside one of the most successful football teams in Gamecock history. Between the 2010 and 2011 seasons, this band seemed to miraculously transform into a true SEC marching band, one that was steeped in school tradition and characterized by engaging and high-caliber performance standards. However, this was no miracle. With the generous financial investment of the university, the legendary leadership of then-Director of Athletic Bands …

Five Pieces For Piano By Isang Yun And Piano Etude No.1 By Unsuk Chin: An Analysis, Inhye Cho

Theses and Dissertations

Isang Yun (1917-1995) is a well-known Korean-German contemporary classical composer known for incorporating both East Asian and Western musical elements in his music. Despite his fame in Germany, he had little recognition in other countries including his home country, South Korea when he was alive.

Korean composer Unsuk Chin (b.1961) is one of the leading female contemporary composers of the 21st century living in Germany. After being awarded famous international prizes, her compositions gradually became well-known for combining her own musical style with other art forms.

This study provides a biography and background of these two composers and their music. …

A Conductor’S Guide To The Da Vinci Requiem By Cecilia Mcdowall, Jantsen Blake Touchstone

Theses and Dissertations

The Da Vinci Requiem by Cecilia McDowall (b.1951) is a sevenmovement work scored for soprano and bass soloists, mixed chorus, and orchestra and was premiered on May 7, 2019 in Southbanke Center in London, UK by the Wimbledon Choral Society under the direction of Neil Ferris. The thirty-five-minute work is the largest of the two major choral-orchestral works in McDowall’s oeuvre which includes approximately 115 choral works. The focus of this study is to provide a guide to the performance of the work. The study provides scholarship into the life and work of Cecilia McDowall, one of the United Kingdom’s …

Natural Reed Enhancement: Establishing The First Universal Reed Break-In Process Through Hydro-Stabilization, Steven Isaac Christ

Theses and Dissertations

Reed players know the favorable sound of their cane does not last. Furthermore, students and educators who lack the reed pedagogy necessary to achieve any longevity and consistency suffer financially. In this study, a hydro-stabilization methodology is tested to analyze the systematic compression of parenchymatic cells within clarinet reeds. By compressing the parenchymatic cells of the cane, this project proposes that saliva will saturate the reed at ineffective/inefficient rates compared to fresh, non-stabilized reeds. 1,836 data points, collected from 17 reeds, comprised the overall study; 324 data points, collected from three reeds, represented the control group; and the remaining 1,512 …

A Stylistic Analysis Of Reinhold Glière’S 25 Preludes For Piano, Op. 30, Sunjoo Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Reinhold Moritsevich Glière (1875-1956) had a successful career as a conductor, educator, and composer. He is regarded as one of the immediate heirs to Tchaikovsky and those known as the “Mighty Five,” Balakirev, Mussorgsky, Borodin, Cui, and Rimsky- Korsakov. Glière has been neglected in the Western musical study although he has been popular and important in his native country and wrote more than five hundred works including music for orchestra, chamber music, voice, and ballets. Yet relatively few of his works are known and performed in the West.

The purpose of the study is to provide a stylistic analysis of …

Performance Edition Of Franz Simandl’S 30 Etudes For The String Bass With Critical Commentary, Austin Gaboriau

Theses and Dissertations

More than 100 years after František, “Franz,” Simandl’s (1840–1912) death, his pedagogical works are still widely used by aspiring double bassists. Simandl’s methodology codified in these works standardized lower position left-hand technique for most modern bass players. His 30 Etudes for the String Bass is still commonly studied, but existing editions don’t provide adequate instruction to students who haven’t already worked through Simandl’s New Method. With many more recent beginner method books available to present day students, it can’t be expected that students always work through the New Method before moving on to 30 Etudes for the String Bass as …

Focal Dystonia Causes And Treatments: A Guide For Pianists, Juan Nicolás Morales Espitia

Theses and Dissertations

Focal dystonia is a movement disorder that precludes the execution of fine motor skills. Although research on focal dystonia has been intensified during the last few decades, particularly because it has affected eminent musicians such as pianists Leon Fleisher and Gary Graffman, violinist Peter Oundjian, and oboist Alex Klein, there are still several answered questions, as well as numerous misconceptions, commonly associated with this disorder. This document comprehensively explores dystonia’s mechanism of action, causes, potential risks, and treatments. The publicly available statements of three prominent concert pianists who successfully recovered from focal dystonia are also included in this document. Additionally, …

Young Children’S Behaviors During Favorite-Music Repertoire And Other-Music Repertoire, Vanessa Caswell

Theses and Dissertations

To gain understanding regarding early childhood music repertoire selection, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine young children’s music behaviors demonstrated in response to their favorite-music repertoire and other-music repertoire performed in informal early childhood music classes. My guiding research questions were (a) what was the favorite-music repertoire of young children, and (b) what did parents, Alli (an early childhood music teacher), Kat (an early childhood music teacher), and I notice about behaviors young children demonstrated during performances of their favorite-music repertoire and other-music repertoire during our informal music classes?

I purposefully sampled three young children and …