Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Honeysuckles & Irises: Effigies Of The Land, Ami` L. Hanna-Huff

English Creative Writing Theses

Here is a memoir of my paternal line through the lens of my Great-Grandmother and myself. A reclamation of the land I hail from and a connection to a history previously felt distant, this examination of race and gender explicitly focused on the African American Southern female experience; I try to make sense of the juxtaposing positions in our lives. The culture built from its creation through Tennessee personified. Here, I integrate history and theory with lyrics and prose to experience the eighty-one years of progress brought between our births and the lingering anxiety of slavery. My great-grandmother, Hazel Irene …

Effect Of Selective Memory And Use Of Triangulation To Critique Songwriting, Maxwell A. Ramsey

Recital Papers

The cowriting of three successful popular songs is reconstructed through blind interviews with each of the contributors. In addition to insights into the actual compositional aspects, the interview questions were designed to reveal what role music industry executives may have played in arranging, inspiring, or promoting the songs throughout their journey to find success. The process of triangulation was applied to the interview answers in accordance with previous successful qualitative research methods to uncover the decisions and techniques that proved pivotal in best serving the respective song idea. The ultimate success of the songs is examined through chart and sales …

The Graveyard Of Empires, Sadaf Folad

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

No abstract provided.

Psychology: Religious Conflicts Amongst A Christian Campus, Cole Peterson, Alyssa Shearing, Sydney Willis, Melody Alvarez

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

The current study seeks to develop and validate a quantitative measure of religion on a Christian campus. As the influence of religion in multiple aspects of the world continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly important to gain an understanding of the experiences of college students within a Christian campus. It has been found that “exposure to new ideas that college provides were thought to lead students to question and ultimately abandon their traditional religious beliefs” (Maryl & Oeur, 2009). More research regarding the effect of religion specifically on a Christian campus is needed; therefore, a reliable and valid psychometric scale …

No Sex For Me: Female Influence And Power Through The Lens Of Hrotsvitha, Madison Patoto

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

No Sex for Me: Female Influence and Power Through the Lens of Hrotsvitha

Madison Patoto

Male playwrights dominated the theatre world until Hrotsvitha, a German nun and playwright, broke the silence of The Dark Ages. She adapted the works of the ancient Roman playwright, Terence, with a more favorable depiction of faith and women. In the midst of a patriarchal world, Hrotsvitha explored the theme of sexuality through strong female characters who gained power and influence in a world that degraded them and considered them impotent. This essay dives into the main differences between Terence’s Roman secular views and Hrotsvitha’s …

I Was Crazy Once: An Examination Of Elizabethan Insanity In Shakespeare’S Work, Hope L. Kobus

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

William Shakespeare wrote numerous works, diving into the common motifs of love, revenge, power, but most importantly, madness. While Elizabethan audiences were more accustomed to seeing madness as a ploy for comedy, Shakespeare changed the appeal through shows such as King Lear, Hamlet, and Macbeth. He presents the power and ambition of women, as well as the failings of the upper-class, but he disguised them through the idea of insanity. At a time when the public had little understanding of mental health, it was easy to blame madness on gender, social status, and even the supernatural. Through …

Presenting And Curating Contemporary Installation Art; The Work Of Cornelia Parker And Céline Condorelli, Bridget Curtis

Bachelor of Fine Arts Theses

The popular sentiment in curation among contemporary British art institutions has emphasized the attempt to reconcile with the divide between public art and art presented in institutions. The globalization of Britain in contemporary times has led to the wide dissemination of shows curated by British institutions. The location artwork is exhibited can change the reception and interaction with the work. Artists who use their work as a means of activism can benefit from the perception of a global audience. The question arises as to how impactful activism art can be when exhibited within the contemporary institution versus when it is …

Creativity And Organic Songwriting: A Deconstruction Of Original Songs, Pramuk Mohanlal-Vargas

Composition/Recording Projects

Creativity and organic songwriting define uniqueness and are the building blocks of artistic self-expression. This paper consists of a deconstruction of eight original song recordings including the organic songwriting methods and creative ideas which led to the end result. The formulation of each recording is discussed in chronological order and in detail as well as influential ideas and songwriting styles of well-known contemporary artists such as Damien Rice, Passenger and Bon Iver. Along with individual and psychological approaches to songwriting, production elements are mentioned which indicate how the digital world influenced the final version of each song. This area relied …

French Nasal Vowels In The Mezzo-Soprano Voice, Jada G. Duff

Recital Papers

This paper focuses on the four French nasal vowels in the mezzo-soprano voice. It clearly states how to pronounce the vowel with and without nasality. The paper displays spectrogram images to compare the resonance between the non-nasal and nasal vowels in different registers. It addresses the need for modification of the vowels in different registers of the mezzo-soprano voice. The paper also describes how to apply the results of the information from the spectrogram images to French pieces. The repertoire includes works by Jules Massenet, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Isaac Albéniz, Francis Poulenc, and Erik Satie.

The Influence Of Strings In Gospel And Contemporary Christian Music: The Role Of The Instrument And The Producer, Kelsei Peppars

Composition/Recording Projects

This paper will examine the use of strings (with an emphasis on the violin) in early Gospel music, contemporary Gospel music, and Contemporary Christian Music. The purpose of this research is to analyze the role of the violin and strings in these genres of music, while also analyzing the technical and melodic aspects of the instrument and music that are present within these specific genres, both historically and presently. Furthermore, the technical aspects and processes of production (writing and arranging, booking, creating, contracting, producing, and performing) will be explored and discussed. This project will Display and describe the use of …

Analogous, Catherine G. Mcdonald

Recital Papers

The recording process and traditional fiddle could be perceived as unrelated; however, the evolution of both in many ways could also be considered analogous. Correspondingly, the culminating recording of this project arranged, recorded, and produced tunes that emulated the evolution of the traditional fiddle and its recorded medium. This process included historically accurate arrangements, instrumentation, performance technique, and locations for recording. The double-sided album compared the usage of analog and digital recording and production methods based on the appropriate era for each composition. The “A” side of this project was recorded entirely with analog recording methods. The musical works for …

Creating A Seven-Track Project In Diverse Commercial Styles, Steven Schumann

Composition/Recording Projects

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the production process for a commercial instrumental album featuring the cello as the prominent instrument. The project includes over 25 minutes of recorded material, with approximately half recorded in a home studio setting and the other half recorded in a professional studio environment. The paper covers various aspects of music production and audio technology, geared towards musicians who have received formal performance training but may lack similar education in music production.

Effects Of Covid-19 On Elementary And Secondary Music Education, Colette Stefaniak

Student Theses

This paper will highlight several key effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on elementary and secondary music education. The 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic drastically changed music education for both elementary and secondary institutions. Changes made to music curriculums to adapt to an online teaching environment have had both positive and negative effects on post-pandemic music education. This paper will discuss how the 2020 pandemic has created a different learning environment for elementary music classrooms, music ensembles, and private lessons.

Video Game Scores: A Choir's Role In An Orchestral World, Kaitlin Crofford

Recital Papers

Video game music is growing in popularity – but what about the choir? Video game music has been developing and adapting with the increasing influence of video games in society. There is much recognition for orchestral aspects of video game music, but there is little research specifically on the choir’s role. This research paper sheds light on the choral aspects of video games for the purpose of bringing awareness to the incredible writing that is now available for choral programming. This research paper was written in conjunction with a conducting recital performed with the Belmont Chorale and includes analysis from …

A History Of Bass Guitar Effects Pedals: Liner Notes, David Lloyd

Composition/Recording Projects

This project examines bass effect-pedal technology and the lineage of recordings that have made use of such equipment. The timeline of bass pedal recordings and artists that used them range from modern day session players to The Beatles. A well rounded list of effects most frequently used on bass guitar include octave, fuzz/distortion, chorus, phaser, and envelope filter based processors, and this paper examines multiple songs from commercial music history that utilize one or more of these effects on bass guitar. These songs include ‘Think For Yourself’ by The Beatles, ‘For the Love of Money’ by The O’Jays, ‘Something About …

Windows Into Jazz, Nicholas T. Bilski

Composition/Recording Projects

This project is a culmination of multiple different genres of jazz music in multiple different stylistic arrangements. Each chapter tells the story of its respective piece and how that piece came into existence.

An Analysis Of Commercial Styles Through The Performances Of Guitar Masters, Stephen R. Perlowski

Recital Papers

The following are extended program notes for my graduate recital. The purpose of this recital is to showcase the many ways the guitar has been used as the focal point in music. This recital covers music made from 1941 to 2006. This recital aims to exhibit the expression, nuance, and musical charisma the guitar is capable of. To do so, I have chosen nine masters of the guitar and will be playing pieces that exemplify each of their styles and voices on the instrument. Another goal of this recital is to show the many different genres and musical contexts for …

"1984" Apple Commercial, Eloise Sharkey

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

In 1984, Apple released a commercial to advertise their first personal computer, The Macintosh. The ad aired during the 1984 Super bowl on January 22^nd and was titled “1984”. With the rise of computers and the information age, I set out to discover how Apple was able to distinguish themselves from IBM and why this was so important for them to do. The company used revolutionary rhetoric to address the dreaded social consequences of a world run by computers by positioning the Macintosh as a tool for agency and creativity in a world of mindless drones. This commercial took …

Investigating The Use Of Recurrent Neural Networks In Modeling Guitar Distortion Effects, Caleb Koch, Scott Hawley, Andrew Fyfe

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Guitar players have been modifying their guitar tone with audio effects ever since the mid-20th century. Traditionally, these effects have been achieved by passing a guitar signal through a series of electronic circuits which modify the signal to produce the desired audio effect. With advances in computer technology, audio “plugins” have been created to produce audio effects digitally through programming algorithms. More recently, machine learning researchers have been exploring the use of neural networks to replicate and produce audio effects initially created by analog and digital effects units. Recurrent Neural Networks have proven to be exceptional at modeling audio effects …

A Girl Named Malaka: An Exploration Of Lebanese-American Identity, Ava Munyer

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Ava Munyer is a passionate and ambitious student at Belmont University pursing a double major in Finance and Business Systems and Analytics, as well as a minor in French. This paper explores the relationship between cultural background and societal engagement as a Lebanese-American, discussing the impact of ethnically identifying features in conjunction with ancestral history. After traveling to Lebanon and the birthplace of her ancestors and intensely connecting with her cultural traditions, she experienced inner conflict when expressing these revelations when reintroduced to American academic settings. This autobiography begins with a through explanation of her lineage and family’s immigration to …

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Adaptive Reuse Of Frosty Morn, Veronika Kalugina, Rebecca Tonguis, Heidi Gabriel, Peyton Kauffman

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Frosty Morn, a former meat packing facility in Clarksville, TN, is now abandoned, dilapidated, and partially demolished. The site sits within the Red River District neighborhood, which consists of a diverse community of artists. The Red River District has been identified by the Clarksville Mayor’s Office as an area with potential for growth, catalyzed by repurposing the Frosty Morn building as an icon and beacon of the community. Highest and best use research, in addition to community voices, indicated programmatic needs of a farmer’s market, makerspaces, small business incubators, park space, and live/work units. Our presentation will describe how this …

The Conn 6m: Implications For Contemporary Saxophone Performance And Pedagogy, Jacob D. Goldwasser

Student Theses

This thesis provides an in-depth look at the CONN 6M alto saxophone, one of the staple models of vintage American saxophone designs, as well as performance suggestions for the modern saxophonist. This saxophone had over a 30-year production run, with debut performances from some of the worlds leading pedagogues. With historical source material, as well as contemporary placement, the Conn 6M can be rediscovered as a tool for modern education purposes at any academic level.

Romantic And Victorian Era: Fashion Reimagined, Sara E. Pacheco

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This venture was about reimaginations of the Romantic and Victorian era fashion through the person of Audrey Hepburn, a famous 1960’s Movie star. The Romantic and Victorian eras were chosen because of their similarities and the beauty of those eras in expressing femininity for women. The colors served as a main source of inspiration because they conveyed a feminine vintage feel for the garments. Additionally, inspiration was drawn from the patterns and textures of fabric, especially silk textiles whose satin finish complemented the shiny, smooth, and silky feel of the fabrics. The reimagined fashion images on display illustrate how a …

African American Fashion Legacies, Yasmeen Orozco

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This was an exploration of how African American Designers, former and current have contributed to fashion legacies. Key points that will be presented will be – brief biographies of seven African American designers, that covers their upbringing, education, and their fashion legacies. The seven fashion designers that will be discussed include - Patrick Kelly, Willie Smith, Anna Lowe, Stephine Burrows, Laquan Smith, Dapper Dan, and Zelda Wynn Valdes.

The study further features fashion trends that originated from the African American community. Notably, African Americans have been a pioneering force with creative styles that have been ignored and rebutted. Finally, the …

A Modern Twist Based On The 17th Century And Victorian Era, Kenzie Styles

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This project was an exploration of the 17th Century and Victorian styles with a modern twist to suit Cher, who is an iconic famous signer and actress, in her teens and early 20s. Most of the inspiration for the designs was taken from undergarments and silhouettes inspired by both eras. As well as light feminine colors inspired by the eras, combined with dark greens and blues to create a modern effect. Details of the garments include lace and embroidery inspired by the artwork of the 17th century.

Analysis Of A Doll's House, Matthew Gilleran

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibson is, first and foremost, a play about freedom. I outline how this theme is portrayed in the general plot, the structure of said plot, the language (and imagery within said language), as well as how this theme is portrayed in the characters themselves. This want for freedom ties all the characters together in an uncomfortably spun spider web; none of them can have what they want without taking something from another. Almost every character is aware of this, as well, which makes for a very tense setting within the play. This web of conflict …

The Crossroad Of Hamsters, Robots & Electropop, Olivia Crimivaroli

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Kia Corporation is an automobile manufacturer based in South Korea, who produces and sells vehicles with one of the most well known of their models being the Kia Soul. There are a number of factors that contribute to the Soul being a well known car but one of the biggest reasons is because of the infamous and out-of-the-box commercials that have been crafted in order to promote this style of car. This critique will encompass the contents of one commercial released in 2012 in an attempt to stimulate sales for this specific model of the Kia Soul. This advertisement is …

Mono Audio - Columbia Studio A, Doyuen Ko, Sungyoung Kim, Miriam Kolar

Columbia Studio A - Nashville: Audio

For a small-room venue with recent historical context, we work to preserve aural heritage from American recording studios in Nashville’s Historic Music Row that have shaped the history of recorded music. In January 2015, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Music Row as a “National Treasure,” a highly significant yet threatened historic place. The above photo shows one acoustical measurement setup from our May 2019 data collection session, using a dodecahedral (omnidirectional) loudspeaker for sound sources and several microphones as receivers in a typical room acoustics test configuration.

Binaural Audio - Columbia Studio A, Doyuen Ko, Sungyoung Kim, Miriam Kolar

Columbia Studio A - Nashville: Audio

For a small-room venue with recent historical context, we work to preserve aural heritage from American recording studios in Nashville’s Historic Music Row that have shaped the history of recorded music. In January 2015, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated Music Row as a “National Treasure,” a highly significant yet threatened historic place. The above photo shows one acoustical measurement setup from our May 2019 data collection session, using a dodecahedral (omnidirectional) loudspeaker for sound sources and several microphones as receivers in a typical room acoustics test configuration.

Binaural Audio - Rochester Savings Bank, Doyuen Ko, Sungyoung Kim, Miriam Kolar

Rochester Savings Bank - Rochester: Audio

As an example of large and public space acoustics, we will apply the method to the interior of the Rochester Savings Bank located in downtown of Rochester. This 1927 building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), with historical significance for art, architecture and commerce. The above photo shows the ornately decorated main hall, whose coupled volumes and diverse materials create particular acoustical and sensory features.