Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Creating Better Musicians Through Musicality: A Guide To Building An Instructional Unit, Shelby Leo

Theses

This project provides an in depth focus on how to strengthen an ensemble's approach to musicality through lesson plans, assessments, and activities. The primary focus group of this project is high school aged performance based classes including band and choir. The aim of the project is to provide a music educator with a detailed curriculum to teach musicality that is adjustable to any size ensemble and any score. Furthermore, this project is not a study but instead an explanation to the approach of developing the curriculum unit. The project consists of a four unit curriculum with two to three lessons …

Plains Minimalism, Matthew Magerkurth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Plains Minimalism is a set of four musical scores that seeks to reconcile classical and folk music styles in a semi-improvisatory style. In each piece, the musicians are asked to interact with each other in different ways, alternating between a specifically-notated classical score and esoteric text descriptions. Additionally, this body of work includes instruments traditionally associated with American folk music, including banjo, manolin, and acoustic guitar. Through both the textural and notational fusion, these pieces are designed to be performed by musicians with variable degrees of reading ability, thus widening access to traditional classical music spaces.

Representation Of Women & Bbia Composers In The Teaching Music Through Performance In Band Series, Alicia M. Turnquist

Honors Thesis

One problem seen in music education curriculum today is the underrepresentation of Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian (BBIA), and female composers in the band ensemble repertoire. Throughout history, these composers have been excluded in the curriculum causing an overrepresentation of white non-Hispanic male composers. Some music education organizations are beginning to address this issue but, few, if any, have addressed the problem in the band classroom setting. This project examined the repertoires selected in the first ten volumes of the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series to examine how representative the composers included in the series were to the K-12 …

Jazz Sampling Hip Hop: A View Of The Expanded Rhythm Section And The Musical Interactions Between Musicians And Machines, Molly Kaylynn Redfield

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This document presents a study on a musical fusion that I term “jazz/hip hop.” The study presents a historical overview of jazz/hip hop origins beginning with 1960s beat poets to jazz/hip hop artists emerging in the early 2000s. Modeled after Phillip Tagg’s and John Fiske’s semiotic methodology and William C. Banfield’s African American Cultural Theory and Heritage Model, the methodology defines the musical and cultural aesthetics of jazz/hip hop. Interviews from jazz/hip hop artists are presented; justifying the use of hip-hop aesthetics and countering the argument that commercial elements are added for mainstream recognition. I examine that samples musically interact …

A Performance Guide For Four Songs By Francisco Mignone, Amanda Mara Rizzotto Vidal Pessoa

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The scope of this document is to demonstrate the richness and diversity to be found in the art song genre from countries outside of the standard repertoire, specifically focusing on the Brazilian composer Francisco Mignone. The purpose of this document is to provide performance practice guidelines for four selected pieces by Francisco Mignone: No Meio do Caminho (1938), Pregão (1947), Si eu sei o que é saudade (1976), and Valsa-Vocalise (1972). They exemplify expressions of Brazilian national identity through the music selected. Furthermore, it provides a brief background on the composer and his compositional style phases, and context for the …

Tracing The Shadows Of Gothic Bach: An Overview Of J.S. Bach’S Keyboard Music In American Horror Films, Siyu Yang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565, and the Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, have been by far the most prominent of J.S. Bach’s works to evoke evil and horror on screen. This “Horror Bach” association remains exclusively a subculture phenomenon in pop culture (almost universally outside of the classical music world). A historical overview of this cultural phenomenon suggests three factors that made these pieces become horror film music: 1) the popularity of the pieces, 2) the choice of instrumentation, and 3) popular cultural factors. This doctoral document also introduces this pop culture phenomenon of Bach to classical …

Remedial Rhythm Reading: A Semester-Long Project In Sixth Grade Band, Hannah Fisher

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted student outcomes in all disciplines, but especially in the performing arts. As I began clinical teaching, I found my sixth-grade band students, particularly the students not involved in choir (my “small band”), lacked the music literacy and fluency expected for second-year band students. I designed a one semester rhythm-reading unit to address this issue. The overall objective for the unit follows:

“Students will be able to read, write, perform, and compose rhythms containing whole notes, half notes, dotted-half notes, dotted-quarter notes, quarter notes, paired eighth notes, single eighth notes, paired sixteenth notes, and corresponding rests …

Postmarked 2022, Students Of Risd, Risd Archives

All Student Newspapers

Postmarked was a publication started during the COVID-19 pandemic by three RISD architecture students. The first issue has the theme of "sonder" and contains student writing and artwork on postcards that deal with this theme.

Andy Stewart, Andy M. Stewart, And Exonostalgia: The Draw Of Tartanry And Kailyard School, Sarah Tackitt

Honors Theses

Andy Stewart and Andy M. Stewart are popular Scottish folk and traditional musicians operating at different periods during the development of mass media. Andy Stewart’s career was marked by the introduction of the television into Scotland, and he made his career being compére of the Scottish television show The White Heather Club. After gaining international recognition, viewers and listeners associated his tartanry and stereotypically Scottish humor as representative of his culture and country.

Andy M. Stewart gained international recognition during the folk revival, in which he wrote songs both for his solo career and for the band Silly Wizard …

Transgender And Nonbinary Attitudes Toward The Choral Music Education Major Experience, Bailee Green

Honors Theses

Transgender and nonbinary individuals face unique challenges in the choral community because of their gender identity. The foundation of the choral ensemble and its methods are rooted in the gender binary, making it hard for gender-expansive singers to feel a sense of belonging.

The purpose of this thesis project was to gauge the experiences and opinions of transgender and nonbinary choral music education majors who participate in at least one choral ensemble. Data was obtained through a voluntary survey that asked participants how their gender affected aspects of their experience as a choral music education major. Survey results led to …

Music Therapist Experiences Of Meaningful Moments In Short-Term Medical Settings: A Thematic Analysis, Haojie Lyu

Theses & Dissertations

Meaningful moments in music therapy sessions may only occur in small moments, imperceptible or fleeting, but can have a tremendous impact on the overall treatment process, especially in short-term medical settings. The literature on the topic of "meaningful moments" in music therapy is sparse, with even less mention of "meaningful moments" in single sessions or short-term clinical settings. In this study, I explored the personal experiences of music therapists to gain a better understanding and awareness of meaningful moments in short-term medical settings. I used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore the research question, “What are music therapists' experiences …

Enchanting Music: How English Playwrights Use Music In Renaissance Witchcraft Plays, Alyssa Anders

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Music is an integral aspect of the Early Modern theater, but because most of this music is lost, scholars and students typically only analyze these works using literary theories. This approach does not allow for a full understanding these plays, which is especially true of witchcraft plays because witches typically utilize music for their spells. In this thesis, I am exploring the interdisciplinary connection of music and literature in the Jacobean witchcraft plays The Witch (c. 1616) by Thomas Middleton and The Tragedy of Sophonisba or The Wonder of Women (1604-1606). From my analysis of the existing music from The …

The Non-Verbal Expressions And Experiences Of An Autistic Adolescent In Improvisational, Relationship-Based Music Therapy, Naoko Funahashi

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the non-verbal expression and experience of an autistic adolescent with language delay in improvisational, relationship-based music therapy. The purpose of the study was to gain a fuller understanding of the adolescent’s experience in music therapy and to discover the roles of music therapy in the larger context of the adolescent’s life. The adolescent’s mother and a professional from his treatment team at his school were each invited to participate in an individual interview consisting of review of a music therapy session video and semi-structured discussion. Thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews yielded themes related to the following: …

The Experiences Of An Individual With Parkinson's Engaging In A Relationship-Based, Improvisational Music Therapy Group, Daniel Delucia

Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the experiences of an individual with Parkinson’s engaging in a relationshipbased, improvisational music therapy group. The researcher utilized the methodology of naturalistic inquiry. An archived video recording of a group music therapy session held through a videoconferencing platform was observed. Music experiences and verbal dialogue were transcribed and put into notation software, and subsequently analyzed through inductive analysis. Two main themes were found: (a) Musical Interrelatedness and (b) Relationship Between Music and Words, with two subthemes under the former; Diane’s Musical Relationship with the Therapist and Diane’s Musical Relationship with the Group; and three under the latter; …

A Thematic Analysis Of The Clinician's Experience Of Individual Music Therapy In Skilled Nursing Facilities With Older Adults, Jaycie Perretta

Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative research study explored the music therapist’s experience of conducting individual music therapy sessions with older adult clients residing in skilled nursing facilities. Three music therapists partook in semi-structured interviews discussing their individual experiences conducting individual music therapy sessions with older adult clients in skilled nursing facilities. Participant interview transcripts were the primary data source and thematic analysis was used to elicit themes in the data. Five themes emerged: (a) theoretical framework, (b) client preferred music used in individual music therapy sessions (c) flexibility in individual sessions, (d) structured sessions for group work, and (e) advocacy for music therapy …

The Experience Of Music Therapists Working With The Parents Of Premature Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Harria Kim

Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the lived experience of music therapists working with parents of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While there are many studies regarding the effects of music therapy on parents and premature infants in the NICU, few in-depth qualitative studies focus on the experiences and perspectives of music therapists working in the NICU. The present study aims to explore music therapists’ experiences of working with the parents of premature infants in the NICU and their perspectives on how music therapy can meet the needs of these parents. Data were collected through audio-video recording and transcription …

The Role Of Affinity Group Membership For Marginalized Music Therapy Students And Professionals, Fakoya A. Jack-Vilmar

Theses & Dissertations

Little research has been done exploring the significance of affinity group membership in the profession of music therapy. In this study, 48 music therapy students and professionals who identified as a part of an affinity group connected to their marginalized identities were surveyed, answering open- and closed-ended questions related to their experiences of a sense of belongingness, acculturative stress, and burnout in professional environments. Quantitative data were analyzed using cross-tabulation descriptive statistics through Google Forms and qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The quantitative data highlighted how affinity group membership plays a significant role in the sense of belongingness …

The Last Straw For Mixed Ensemble And Electronis., Nicholas Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Last Straw was composed for mixed ensemble and electronics. The main idea behind this piece is twofold: a) the treatment of the pitches, articulations, and dynamics shared between instruments and how they propagate out of phase closely resembles what I would have programed on various standalone synthesizer, and b) the processing itself is treated how I would manipulate various parameters on said synthesizers to achieve different sonic modulations. All instruments are amplified through a 4.1 sound system (4 loudspeakers and subwoofer) which is setup in a circle (see the performance layout page viii). Through processing via Max/MSP, the sound …

Two Marching Band Directors’ Insights About Their Bands’ Musical Achievement And Satisfaction In The American Deep South: A Qualitative Analysis, John Klee

Honors Theses

High School marching band is an intricate facet of music education that operates in several varieties across the United States. Depending on the style as well as many external and internal factors of a marching band, marching bands can have goals and definitions of musical achievement that can vary drastically. This qualitative study aims to assist those in the world of marching music education to better understand these distinct types of marching bands on a deeper level. The study gathered detailed perspectives of two directors in juxtaposed marching programs to a view of what drives these bands and directors to …

The Connections In Relationships Among Autistic And Neurotypical Adolescents Participating In A Virtual, Inclusive, Performative Music Therapy Group, Laura Silvestain

Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the connections in relationships among autistic and neurotypical adolescents in a virtual, inclusive, performative music therapy group. The researcher utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design. There is a lack of research involving inclusive music therapy groups with adolescents. As such, this research was needed in order to provide opportunities for adolescents to connect in an inclusive music therapy group, aligning with the neurodiversity movement in uplifting autistic voices rather than focusing on improving perceived deficits of autism. Four participants engaged in four inclusive, performative music therapy sessions through active music-making and sharing music preferences. They each completed a …

A Comparison Of Changing Music Mediums And The Impact On Social Listening, Amanda Liberotti

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Recorded music is a significant part of daily life for most people and has been for about one hundred years. In this time there have been many advancements in how the average person has access to music. Changes in physical mediums have only added to the overall experience of listening. From extremely tangible mediums, such as vinyl that cumulates into large physical collections, to streaming which arguably allows for larger collections without the limitations of physical space, music will always fundamentally be the same. That is not to say that the experience of listening to music does not change. Each …

Music Of The Brown Church: Connecting Religion, Social Justice, Latina/O Studies And Worship Practices, Ann Richelle Jeandrevin

Masters Theses

This thesis project aims to explore music that is being used in churches that serve the Latino/a/x/e communities in the United States, which is also referred to as The Brown Church. As music serves a vital role in the cultural background in these communities, as does faith, the connection between these facets will give better insight into this growing and changing society in the United States. In addition to exploring the relationship between faith and worship music, there is a connecting component through understanding the dark history of the Latin American church and how that impacts faith, worship, and social …

‘Let’S Rock!’: Analyzing Music As A Literary Precursor To The Sublime In The Works Of Lynch, Jesus Ivan Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

David Lynch’s style of cinema is easily recognizable, it is eccentric, bizarre, and surreal. Fans and film scholars alike hail the ‘Lynchian’ aspects within his films, moments that showcase incongruous images that do not line up within our sense of reality. Within the cinema of Lynch there exists a signature space that is a pure manifestation of sublimity. Within this space, anything goes; it is typically a vile and reprehensible place that feeds off the suffering of the film’s characters.

In four of Lynch’s selected films, Eraserhead (1977), Blue Velvet (1986), Twin Peaks Fire Walk with Me (1992), …

Teaching Music Theory Through Covid-19, Donna Deloy

Glenn Korff School of Music: Dissertations, Theses, Student Creative Work, and Performances

This thesis surveyed music theory instructors throughout the United States. Throughout the interviews, instructors shared their insights during COVID-19 as a college instructor. This thesis seeks to describe and inform college instructors of the changes made to the undergraduate curriculum and classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result, instructors found and created new ways to engage students in a classroom through an online format. While creating an online music theory course is challenging, instructors share their experiences navigating this temporary shift beginning in March 2020. A suggestion of implementing more technology into the music theory core could create a …

Echoes Of Home, Hanna Traynham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The artist discusses her Master of Fine Arts exhibition, Echoes of Home, held at the Tipton Gallery in Johnson City, Tennessee on display March 15 through April 8, 2022. The author provides insight into concepts and influences relating to the creation of the exhibition with perspective on her intimate connection with place and memory.

The exhibit features five installations addressing home, elusive memory, and the change and continuity of cultural traditions over time. The works consist of a series of large-scale wild clay vessels, gestural clay bookends, a wall installation of cups with a line drawing, suspended porcelain slabs, …

The Role Of The Clinical Educator In Mentoring Of Preservice Band Directors' Conducting Technique, Brian Patrick Timmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the inclusion of undergraduate conducting coursework in music teacher preparation programs in the United States, the performance of novice conductors may require further development during their field experiences. The clinical music educator fills a critical role in facilitating conductor skill development, yet no comprehensive framework supports this coaching. This explanatory sequential mixed methods design study identifies effective strategies in the mentoring of preservice music educators toward refining their instrumental conducting skills by classifying perspectives of clinical and preservice educators and their perceived roles in developing preservice music educators' conducting skills. A broad base of participants (N = 73) was …

Impact Of A Comprehensive Musicianship Through Performance Program On An International School Band During Covid-19, Anna Lee Siew Hui

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The threats of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020 resulted in schools moving to online learning and impacted programs with cocurricular activities, especially band programs. Student retention, low enrollment, loss of interest, and lower motivation became liabilities for band programs during the pandemic. Therefore, having an engaging online band program is crucial to continue effective music learning and maintain a high standard of band instruction. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of a Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) program on an international school band during COVID-19. Forty-six participants ages 13-16 were recruited from the senior band …

The Conservation Of Resources Theory In Relation To Teacher Stress In Mainstreaming Students With Multiple Disabilities, Rose Geoffroy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine two previous studies, which concluded that music educators felt stressed about mainstreaming students with disabilities. Using applied research method, a twenty-five-item questionnaire, created by the current researcher, was conducted, and six general music educators participated answering twenty-five categorized questions. The questions were divided into three sections: background, teaching context, and stress. The study examined current resources for music educators’ while working in a mainstreaming setting with students with disabilities. The scores indicated a moderate to high stress level in the classroom due to the lack of resources provided. A mean was found …

A Music Composition Through The Use Of Animal Sounds, Andy Nguy

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The knowledge on animals has been studied over many years by researching and understanding animal behavior and creativity with music. Bioacoustics shows a great deal when it comes to collecting sounds through many principles for sound data collection. With saved recording of animals, music, speeches, and so much more, it has impacted the way music is created through technology. Music production has been advancing in many creative ways. The foundation of sound manipulation is musique concrète. The project uses these concepts of audio recording and digital sounds to produce a composition that includes animal sounds.

Operatic Mysticisms: Mountains, Deserts, Waterscapes, Andrew Demczuk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Operatic Mysticisms: Mountains, Deserts, Waterscapes examines the ways we encounter environments as readers/viewers of operas, literature, film, and sound recordings, and how each medium requires different detail-gathering techniques. Respective to the previously mentioned mediums, Sun & Sea (2017), Mount Analogue (1952), El Mar La Mar (2017), and Energy Field (2010) are analyzed by engaging with environmental media studies and invention. Reflecting the nature of each landscape—summits of mountains, aporias of deserts, and mysteries of waterscapes—an elemental approach is taken in investigating how these spaces may be noticed, internalized, recorded, and traversed by both the artist and viewer. …