Arts and Humanities Commons^™

An Analysis Of The Adequacy Of Preparation For The Totality Of Worship Leadership, Michael Kenneth Geake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the gradual transition of “music minister” into “worship leader,” preparation and training for the expanded roles may be considered slow in terms of total responsibilities. While degree programs have incorporated in-depth coursework in essential ministry topics – such as theology, discipleship, and evangelism – there has been little recognition of their roles as managers and counselors. Many of these programs prepare students for jobs that no longer exist. This study focuses on the worship leader, both as a student and as one who has already started their career, with responsibilities in the church and to their family. Through qualitative …

A Qualitative Approach To Understanding A Baptist Association’S Attitudes And Beliefs While Using Digital Spaces During Covid-19, Carolyn L. Banks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Covid-19 forced worldwide institutional shutdowns, many mass gatherings and public areas of socializing were forced to transition to digital spaces. Of the many institutions that were impacted were the brick-and-mortar church and face-to-face fellowship. Online worship service became the next best mode of communication to keep the body of believers engaged in worship services and other church events. A change from normal brick-and-mortar worship to cyber worship created a need for many to adapt to unchartered territory. Physically unable to be present, hug, shake hands, or personally interact with church members, a sense of belonging, and the potential for …

Exploration Of The Congruence Between Environmental Concerns And Eco-Spirituality Programming At Retreat Centers As Experienced By Participants, Jean Golicz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-embedded case study was to explore the role of environmental awareness and concerns in influencing engagement in retreat practices that were organized around the theme of eco-spirituality and the impact on organizational leadership and program development at two retreat centers in the northeastern region of the United States. Roman Catholic retreat centers were the focus of the study as they endeavored to fulfill leadership directives reflected in the papal encyclical Laudato si’. The centers examined offered immersion in nature, reflection on the interdependence of organic systems, and the development of action plans to address environmental issues. …

Developing A Contextualized Discipleship Pathway For Spiritual Formation And Multiplication Through A Culturally Relevant And Sustainable Model, Evans Jean

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Philadelphia Church of the Newborns (PCN) is a multigenerational Haitian church that has been serving the Haitian community for over 36 years. The church has an average of 375 members who regularly attend Sunday services. Since its establishment, PCN has embraced a traditional approach to discipleship, which is conducted through Sunday school and Bible study. Its ministry context includes Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Many members were raised in Haiti and understand how church traditions operate within the Haitian context. Discipleship takes place through church activities rather than structured programs. PCN is recognized for its solid biblical …

Self-Perception, Socioeconomic, And Gender Factors In Third Grade Rhythm Improvisation, Patrick W. Thames

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative research design examines differences in rhythmic improvisational skills and self-perception among third graders from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This study includes participants from two different socioeconomic backgrounds: an affluent private elementary school and an elementary school with low socioeconomic status in Pulaski County, Arkansas. (N=32) This study includes the administration of the Rhythmic Improvisational Readiness Record (RIRR), which includes self-perception components and peer evaluation. Researchers use two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine differences in gender and socioeconomic status and analyze causal comparative data that reveal the relationship between self-perceived ability and the participants' actual improvisational skills. This …

Shaping Music Education: Insights From High School And Collegiate Band Directors On Russell Boone's Influence, Devanon Petallio Fitzgerald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the valuable contributions and impacts that Historically Black Colleges and Universities band directors have made toward collegiate and high school band programs, there is little research on the contributions and implications of Russell Boone, a former band director and pioneer of the marching band program at Mississippi Valley State University. While many secondary school and collegiate band directors employ his techniques, only a few have highlighted his importance. Under the leadership of Russell Boone, the MVSU marching band made history as the first band from an HBCU to participate in the Rose Bowl parade. Additionally, the band participated in …

Transforming The Challenges Of Improvisation For Sacramento Elementary Music Teachers, Monta Monique Saïd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the widespread consensus among music teachers that improvisation is a crucial skill for children to learn, there have been multiple challenges integrating improvisation into daily teaching practice in general elementary music classrooms. This research, conducted across multiple public schools in the Greater Sacramento Area Unified School District, aimed to identify these challenges and provide actionable solutions based on teacher feedback to improve the situation. Using phenomenological research design as explained by Creswell, this study analyzed, synthesized, and identified patterns of experience among general elementary music teachers through observations, interviews, and collected artifacts. The study found that lack of time, …

Successful Habits Of Small Historically Black College And University Band Programs, William Thomas Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study is to identify successful habits associated with the establishment, development, and sustainability of historically black college and university band programs consisting of less than 128 instrumentalists. The success of large Historically Black College and University (HBCU) band programs often highlights and markets the brand of the HBCU experience. Despite the gleaming success of widely popular schools, there is varied success among smaller programs with less visibility. HBCU bands around the country operate with fewer than 128 band instrumentalists, with some demonstrating more successful behaviors than their larger counterparts. Despite their efforts, these programs sometimes …

A Comprehensive Examination Of Church Security Emergencies Protocol In North Carolina: Securing Tar Landing Baptist Church Jacksonville, North Carolina, Jack Thorne Metcalf Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation-in-praxis project was to implement a security operations manual. Defending houses of worship has become an ever-increasing need for churches. The rise of threats against faith-based organizations is growing, and the unique nature of sanctuaries makes them an ever-increasing soft target. This researcher’s helped to implement a robust security and emergency plan in the church to ensure the security team will perform in a correct and professional manner. The church security manual identifies the following areas such as natural disaster, active shooters, and emergencies protocol.

Perspectives Of Korean Christian Worshipers On Spontaneous And Liturgical Dance In Worship Engagement, Young Mee Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the Bible recognizes dance as a form of worship and certain cultures have embraced it for its potential to deepen faith, dance has experienced restricted acceptance in numerous societies and denominations and has received minimal scholarly attention, limited to the study of liturgical dance. This study explores ways for Korean Christian worship, predominantly characterized by Oriental conservative principles, to consider dance as a regular form of worship expression. Exploring responses in a context where spontaneous dance is seldom studied contributes to a deeper understanding of this dance form as a worship practice. The study involves in-depth interviews with six …

A Comparison Of Middle To High School Male Retention Rates In Tenor-Bass Choirs And Mixed Choirs In Georgia, Victor Alexander Ubiera

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Documentation quantitatively measuring the effect of tenor-bass ensembles in the recruitment and retention of male singers is limited within the literature. Without data, choral music educators may lack the evidence to justify adjusting their choral program offerings to include all-male ensembles. This quantitative, causal-comparative study compares eighth to ninth grade male student retention between schools in the state of Georgia that offer the all-male or tenor-bass model and those that do not. This study investigates the correlation between the number of male students who continue choral enrollment between eighth and ninth grades and their prior participation in middle school tenor-bass …

Creation's Jubilee: The Reconciliation Of All Things Through The Work Of Christ, Darrell Wayne Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many have taken it upon themselves to discover the meaning of the biblical teaching of reconciliation and deduced various theories. The topic has reached an impasse for many years. This dissertation will show that God is always the subject, and that man is the object of reconciliation. Through Jesus Christ’s work, God intends to reconcile all things to himself. This assertion claims that Christ’s redemptive work extends to all categories of intelligent beings but does not propose a universal salvation for all. Instead, God has supplied the provision whereby all categories of creatures are offered the work of redemption procured …

Case Study On Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University Marching Band From 1998-2011, Michael E. Young

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands have been at the forefront of entertaining crowds at football games for many years, from the innovative techniques in marching and maneuvering to orchestral arrangements of classical to popular music that capture the hearts of all music enthusiasts. The band that exemplifies this is the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) marching band, better known as the incomparable ‘Marching100.’ This world-famous marching band has performed on numerous occasions, such as the Super Bowl, Rose Bowl, and the President's Inaugural parades. A qualitative research case study will examine the halftime pageantry in the …

The Epidemic Of Fatherlessness: Implications For Ethical Development And Mental Health, James Elbert Ellis Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the negative effects of fatherlessness on childhood development and the long-term impact on adult mental health. According to Bhugra, Watson, and Wijesuriya (2021), significant racial demographic differences existed in the prevalence of fatherless households. Harris (2019) noted that mental illness affected individuals across various racial groups, including Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. Research by Bhugra et al. (2021) indicated that children raised in homes without fathers were more likely to experience mental health challenges. This study sought to determine whether a fatherless environment predisposed children to the development of …

The Opening Of The American Mind: The Christian Educator's Involvement In Public Education, Brett Austin Craddock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Two kingdoms theology has impacted the church and guided individual believers in various aspects of their personal lives. Religious leaders, ministers, and Christians founded the American education system. The public education system of America now serves a multicultural population of students. The works of Charles Taylor and Allan Bloom highlight changes that have occurred in the 21st century and have impacted education. The misapplication of a two kingdoms theology perspective may have caused Christian educators to leave the secular classrooms. Christian educators as redemptive citizens may serve in the secular, multicultural classrooms across America to provide unintrusive education for all …

Living The Text: A Phenomenological And Metacognitive Analysis Of Nehemiah 9 As The Embodiment Of Scripture In The Processing Of Stored Trauma, Dimitrije Stanojevic

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study defends the thesis that Nehemiah 9:5–37 is a sermon with psychotherapeutic qualities, aimed at processing unaddressed and cross-generationally stored trauma. It does so through two modes of interpretation: מְפֹרָשׁ “informing” andשֹׂום שֶׂכֶל “forming.” The sermon is delivered on the Day of Atonement, in the aftermath of a communal Scripture reading in Jerusalem, sometime after the return from the Babylonian Exile. Phenomenological and metacognitive frameworks inform the analysis of the passage as transformative and identity-shaping, grounded in repentance and self-reflection.

This textually rich passage weaves together quotations, allusions, echoes, reinterpretations, and summaries—likely the result of multiple editorial hands. Yet, …

South Carolina And The Blue Ridge Rail Road, 1852 To 1873: Dreams Of Linking The South And West, Steve E. Gibson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While the 1850s were productive and railroading did innovate with the initial adoption of steel, the embrace of the telegraph, the use of coal as a fuel, and the opening of generally long railroads, particularly in South Carolina, the railroads themselves generally remained conservative (almost timid) in their business models and strategic thinking. This was especially true in the South. Northern railroads recognized the need to connect major cities, connect seaports with crop productive hinterlands, and generally understood that railroad mobility, mixed economic development, and prosperity were intertwined and mutually reinforcing with the prosperity of both the railroad and the …

The War Powers Resolution: A Failed Check On Executive Power And A Contributor To U.S. Military Expansion, Melissa A. Cavaliere

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Governmental policies, such as the War Powers Resolution (WPR) of 1973, are comprehensive legislative measures designed to address recurring issues through thorough analysis rather than hasty responses. The WPR emerged from a need to balance power between the executive and legislative branches, particularly in the wake of the Vietnam War. Passed over President Nixon's veto, the WPR mandates that the president consults Congress before deploying U.S. armed forces into situations involving imminent hostilities, requiring this consultation within 48 hours of military action. If troops are deployed, their involvement can last 60 days, extendable to 90 days, unless Congress either approves …

Societal Gender Norms' Influence On Music Education, Lindsey N. Folsom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study uses a phenomenological design to answer the question: How do students and educators perceive the influence of gender on instrument choice, ensemble participation, and student socialization opportunities inherent to ensemble participation? The theoretical framework for this study is Lev Vygotsky’s social development theory. Data was collected using interviews and surveys from K-12 teachers and college instructors. The data is analyzed using qualitative methods such as coding and triangulation. The results of this study and its potential to significantly inform and shape music education practices will provide research on teacher and student perspectives on the influence of societal …

The 'It' Factor: The Intersection Of Leadership And Personality And The Music Ensemble Director's Influence On Member Retention, Robbin L. Johnston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This predictive correlational study aims to examine the influence of the leadership style and personality traits of music ensemble directors on the retention of students in their programs. The study explores music ensemble directors' leadership qualities and personalities and their ability to maintain student enrollment in their ensembles over the last five years. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and the NEO-PI-3 Personality Assessment. A convenience sample of music educators provided the data for the study. The researcher compared these results to the participants' leadership and personality identities determined in the initial surveys to establish potential intersections …

Professional And Personal Perspectives Of Ohio High School Choral Directors About Their Ensembles’ Participation In Large Group Adjudicated Events, Devon Tamara Gess

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored Ohio high school choral directors’ perspectives on participating or not participating in large group adjudicated events. Utilizing a phenomenological research method identified perspectives that have not been investigated or documented concerning the high school choral director’s professional and personal perspectives about their ensembles’ participation in the Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) Large Group Adjudicated Events. This study posed a central research question that explored Ohio high school choral directors’ philosophies of music education, personal experience, and perceived pros and cons of participating or not participating in the Ohio Music Education Association’s Large Group Adjudicated Event. Participants …

Perceived Effective Strategies For Teaching English Language Learners In Secondary Choral Settings, Corrina Guadalupe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As the population of English Learners (ELs) continues to grow in U.S. public schools, secondary music educators must be equipped to provide inclusive and equitable instruction. This study investigates secondary choral directors’ challenges, instructional strategies, and beliefs in supporting EL students. Survey responses from 17 choral educators and follow-up interviews with two participants revealed that language barriers, time constraints, and insufficient training were the most frequently cited obstacles. Educators reported using strategies such as repetition, simplified language, and peer support systems; however, tools like bilingual materials and translation technology were underutilized despite being perceived as effective. Interview data emphasized fostering …

Self-Care As An Indicator Of Success For The Undergraduate Music Education Major, Sonya Lynn Comer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite rising awareness of stress and mental health issues, many undergraduate music education majors struggle to connect self-care to resilience in personal and professional areas of their lives. Students may perceive self-care as an extra luxury, if they have time after their work is completed, but they fail to recognize self-care as a potential source of energy, creativity, and joy for their work. The missing self-care component creates an internal deficit hindering students’ ability to bring their best self to the classroom, their student teaching placements, and interpersonal relationships. Omitting self-care compounds issues caused by their multi-faceted workload leaving students …

Military Children's Lived Experiene: A Continuous Parental Military Deployment, Detria L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military deployments disrupt the stability of parent-child relationships, especially for adolescents navigating attachment during extended parental separations. This qualitative dissertation study explored the lived experiences of twelve Military Children (MC), ages 14-17, across the three key phases of a continuous six-month to one-year parental deployment: pre-deployment, deployment, and reintegration. This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to capture MC perspectives on relational dynamics, emotional challenges, and attachment disruptions with both the deployed and non-deployed parents. Participants were recruited via social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), publicly distributed recruitment flyers, and participated in semi-structured interviews conducted through audio-video recorded interviews. …

Application Of Andragogic Principles To The Study Of Gregorian Chant: A Grounded Theory Study, Norman D. Wakefield

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite literature on pedagogies or methodologies for Gregorian chant, there is a lack of research regarding the application of andragogic perspectives to the teaching of Gregorian chant. This grounded theory study seeks to identify the experiences of adult learners and instructors of Gregorian chant active in small to mid-size Roman Catholic parishes in the United States with modest program resources. While pedagogical and philosophical models regarding Gregorian chant have proliferated throughout the Roman Church for over a millennium, instructors and learners, do not have information regarding how to apply andragogic perspectives to the teaching of Gregorian chant to facilitate instruction …

Hope As A Source To Strengthen Chaplain Resiliency In The Christian And Missionary Alliance, Javier M. Torres-Chinea

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research project intends not only to assess the levels of hope of the population of chaplains of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, but also to educate on how hope can strengthen resilience. Using Snyder's Theory of Hope (2000) provides a theoretical framework that allows a positive vision of the social and employment situation of millions of people. Snyder's Adult Hope Scale measures the hope trait in the chaplains, both male and female, between the ages of 25-65. For the participants, a questionnaire called the Hope Questionnaire was used. The SurveyPlanet website, to be distributed, answered, and collected data through …

Makt, Sex, Och Kön: St. Birgitta And Medieval Swedish Politics, Carl Andrew Lund

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Birgitta Birgersdotter (1302/3 – 1373) was a Swedish noblewoman who began reporting repeated heavenly visions beginning shortly after her widowhood in 1344, although tradition came to believe that she had had earlier visions as well. Her visions had a strong religious component. However, they also gave admonishment and advice to powerful leaders throughout medieval Europe, notably Sweden’s king, Magnus IV Eriksson, and his queen consort, Blanche of Namur. Another important motif of the visions was an insistence of the papacy returning to Rome from Avignon. Birgitta was not always taken seriously due to her gender. However, the privilege obtained from …

Care And Resource Support For Surrogate End-Of-Life Decision-Makers, Evelyn L. Globe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Surrogate end-of-life decision-makers are family members facing the emergent task of making end-of-life care decisions for their loved ones many times without prior knowledge of what their family members would want. Afterward, the surrogate decision-maker is often without support to process their experience and grief. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to provide a faith-based support group for those who have had the experience of being a surrogate end-of-life decision-maker and through an advance care planning and advance directives seminar and workshop provide an informational resource for individuals who have not had the experience and want to …

The Effects Of Seesaw On "John Kanaka" Singing Assessment Tracking And Teacher-To-Student Feedback In The Third Grade Elementary Music Classroom, Sarah Elizabeth Gonzalez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Assessments play a vital role for teachers to measure individual student progress and motivate instruction that meets students' needs. Traditional assessments provide a substantive way for teachers to collect data, which they will analyze long after they administer the assessment. Creating substantial evidence for individual performance-based standards poses a challenge. Seesaw serves as an online platform for student engagement, allowing students to share their knowledge while parents can safely monitor it through photos, videos, drawings, text, audio, PDFs, and links. The researchers conducted the study over four weeks in March 2025 in the third-grade music classes at Ray Roberts Elementary. …

Pedagogy In Selected Violin Works Of Frank Bridge And Amy Beach: A Narrative Study, Kristin M. Van Cleve

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Frank Bridge and Amy Beach were well-regarded composers during their lifetimes, which spanned the era of transition from Romanticism to the dawn of twentieth-century modernity. However, their violin works are primarily absent from standard repertoire lists and rarely used as teaching tools. The purpose of this study was to explore the backgrounds and influences of both composers, who share a rich and expressive melodic and harmonic language despite being active on opposite sides of the Atlantic (Bridge in England and Beach in New England), and to examine the viewpoints of educators regarding the efficacy of using the violin repertoire of …