Music Commons^™

Guy Woolfenden: A Composer's Musical Dna, James A. Dreiling

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

Guy Woolfenden is a British composer who has made a name for himself in England as the composer of over 150 scores for the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as music for numerous ballet and opera companies. In addition, he has composed fifteen pieces for wind band and eleven pieces for various wind chamber ensembles. While his wind music is well known throughout England, his name and his music are not as well known throughout the rest of the world. Those few conductors outside of England who are aware of his work tend to know only one or two of …

Instructional Time Structures In Arkansas Middle School And Junior High Beginning Bands: Initial Enrollment And Subsequent Retention, Micah Forrest Glover

Student Theses and Dissertations

In order to better inform band directors and administrators on effective methods of increasing retention in beginning band, Glover explored the impact of how instructional time is allotted and structured on enrollment and subsequent retention among beginning band students in middle school and junior high schools in the state of Arkansas. Lines of inquiry in the online questionnaire completed by beginning band directors (n=45) included describing and analyzing different instructional time structures within beginning band programs, discussing who in public schools systems makes decisions about these structures, and questioning band directors about personal perceptions of program structures and retention practices …

Educational Psychology In Undergraduate Music Education Degree Programs In Nasm-Accredited Institutions: Topics Covered And The Emphases Of Those Topics In Music Methods Courses, Ben E. Light

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (1) describe educational psychology course offerings within undergraduate music teacher training programs at National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institutions and (2) to examine the emphasis of common educational psychology topics in music methods courses. The study was guided by three research questions: (1) How are educational psychology courses situated (i.e. credit weight, course level) in the undergraduate music education degree program; (2) What are the demographics for the institutions and the music methods instructors sampled; and (3) How do music methods instructors emphasize educational psychology topics commonly cited in the …

Playing Together: A Chamber Music Guide, Nicholas Scott Matherne

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Chamber Music, as purported by numerous academic and non-academic music education sources, is a valuable for developing the essential skills for musical development. The guide is designed to serve as scaffolding for young musicians to play chamber music together without the structure of a formal teacher. To facilitate this process for a variety of students, the music is designed using diverse instrumentation scoring so that any group of 5 musicians can play together the music arranged for this book. By examining all of the exercises in this guide, young musicians will complete self-driven content lessons in all of the nine …

Effective Elements Of Conducting: A Study Of High School Orchestra Directors, Matthew J. Brooks

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how effectively current high school orchestra directors demonstrate the elements of conducting. To do this, I first selected what elements of conducting would be evaluated and then defined what is effective for each. From this, I created a conductor evaluation form consisting of a 1-Not Effective to 5-Effective rating scale to score how effectively each element is demonstrated. The results would later address the primary research questions:

1. What elements of conducting do high school orchestra directors demonstrate most effectively?
2. What elements of conducting do high school orchestra directors demonstrate least effectively?

Current …

Highlights In Jazz Concert 323- Salute To Wycliffe Gordon, Jack Kleinsinger

Jack Kleinsinger Presents Highlights in Jazz

Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, May 7th, 2015 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jay Leonhart, Terell Stafford, Aaron Diehl, Adrian Cunningham, Ted Rosenthal, Alvin Atkinson, Yasushi Nakamura, and Wycliffe Gordon.

Breaking; Mending- A New Piece For Oboe And Chamber Orchestra, Jonathan Andrew Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Breaking, Mending- A New Piece for Oboe and Chamber Orchestra is an original composition for oboe and chamber orchestra that explores the role of narrative and historical reference and quotation in contemporary music. In Breaking, Mending, J.S. Bach’s Double Concerto for Oboe and Chamber Orchestra is quoted, manipulated and transformed into a new piece of music driven by a central, all-encompassing narrative. The piece was written for and performed by Dr. Susan Tomkiewicz and an orchestra consisting primarily of members of the CSU Honors College.

The Process Of Musical Acquisition For Traditional String Musicians In The Homeschool Environment, Keith R. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined how three accomplished traditional string musicians learned music in their homeschool environments. Data were derived from formal interviews of the three musicians. The research framework for this qualitative study is based upon the socio-educational model of second language learning motivation developed by R. C. Gardner (1959, 1985, 2004, 2010) and applied to the study of instrumental music learning motivation by P. D. MacIntyre (2012). Structured interview questions, triangulated by additional informal dialogues, field observations, externally documented sources, and collaboration with an expert review panel were the data collection activities utilized in the research. Five overarching themes …

Dewey Meets Bluegrass: Progressive Educational Theory In The Establishment Of Traditional Music Programs In Higher Education, John C. Goad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study focuses on connections between the Progressive era educational theories of John Dewey and present-day bluegrass and traditional music programs in higher education in order to explore a pedagogical basis for such programs. The research specifically examines Dewey’s beliefs in experiential learning, individualization, and vocational education and their current applications in traditional music education. The study included two major components: historical research into Dewey’s writings and primary and secondary sources regarding traditional music education in the United States, and interviews of faculty members in college and university bluegrass and traditional music programs. The thesis of this study is that …

Why We Do What We Do: A Look At Factors That Draw College Freshmen To Music Education, Emilee V. Randall

Honors Theses

At some point during college, most students face conflict when it comes to their choice in major. Indeed, an estimated 75 percent of students change their major at least once before graduating (Gordon, 1995). Specifically in the field of music education, there are instances where at least 50 percent of freshman music education majors do not complete the music education degree through to graduation (Gavin, 2010, p. 94). When considering statistics like these, it becomes obvious that selecting a major has serious implications for the majority of students, not just undecided ones. These students may have difficulty perceiving themselves as …

Considerations For Introducing And Practicing Wellness In Harp Pedagogy And Performance, Alexandra Haile Calvert

Music Theses & Dissertations

Movement, breath, and intense focus are crucial to the playing of any musical instrument. In addition, these are important areas in many wellness methods. Many harpists are prone to injury from playing, moving their harps, sitting with poor posture, and not warming up the body before playing. By considering and incorporating the wellness practices of ergonomics, Alexander Technique, yoga, meditation, and constructing a conducive learning and practicing environment, the risk of injury may be lowered for harpists. The purpose of this study is to research and present various methods in which harpists can prevent injury. This study will assess the …

The Changing Role Of The Bass Clarinet: Support For Its Integration Into The Modern Clarinet Studio, Jennifer Beth Iles

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The bass clarinet of the twenty-first century has come into its own. Composers often treat it as a solo instrument and clarinetists are more often expected to play bass clarinet. In the last half of the twentieth century, the amount of literature for bass clarinet has grown and the quality of the instruments have improved exponentially. Still, most university studios focus primarily on B-flat clarinet. This document is intended as a pedagogical guide for the inclusion of the bass clarinet in the clarinet studio. As support for incorporating the bass clarinet into the undergraduate curriculum, this document describes three areas …

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 …

High School Musicians And Their Perceptions Of Music In Academic And Non-Academic Settings, Matthew J. Rescsanski

Honors Scholar Theses

Contemporary research has shown that school music programs have increasingly struggled with relevancy in recent years (Boon, 2014; Green, 2006; Woody, 2007) as students primarily experience music outside of school through informal practices of popular music and culture. It is therefore extremely important for music educators to better understand the perceptions their students have of music in both of these settings. In this study, students were asked via survey and interview about their perceptions of the music they make in school and in other settings, such as at home, with friends, or as a part of a religious activity. Findings …

“Mi Alma Cantará”: Tracing Issues In Music Education Within The Colonial And Contemporary Latin American Church, Kerry Digiacomo

Senior Honors Theses

Music education and institutionalized Christianity have been criticized by historians and ethnomusicologists for their role in the domination and transformation of indigenous Latin American cultures since the late 15th century. However, indigenous peoples, including Amerindians as well as more recent mestizo and Ladino people groups, have also taken an active role in transforming European musics to reflect an emic understanding of their own cultural identity. Music education within the Latin American church has provided an interface for these complex interactions between foreign and native cultural influences. This paper will explore the connections between colonial and contemporary-era music education movements in …

A Choral Conducting Portfolio, Sydney J. Sewell

Honors College Theses

This project is a cumulative portfolio of my work as a conductor during the past two years of undergraduate study. It is designed to prepare me for both graduate school auditions and the graduate level work-load. I have evaluated myself as a conductor, filmed videos of myself conducting rehearsals and performances, attended conducting master classes and completed a comprehensive analysis of choral works that I have studied or conducted. I have also included evaluations by mentors or professors administered throughout the course of the project. The project demonstrates by its very nature my growth as a conductor over the course …

The Effects Of Years In Band On Music Preference, Benny T. Ratliff

Honors College Theses

Music preference is one aspect of music that is sometimes forgotten about in the band world. Many studies have been done on music preference in popular music as well as classical music, but not many studies have been done specifically on band music. This study looks into different categories and difficulties of band literature in order to discover what types of band music students prefer. The ultimate goal of this study is to discover how the number of years in band affects music preference. With this information, band directors can learn what pieces students enjoy to play and how to …

Fighting A Resurgent Hyper-Positivism In Education Is Music To My Ears, Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams

Africana Studies Faculty Publications

In this article, I argue that one of the gifts of the Age of Enlightenment, the ability to measure, to experiment, to predict—turned rancid by hyper-positivism—is re-asserting itself globally in the field of education (including music education). I see a neoliberal, neocolonial connection—in terms of the ideologies that fuel them—between some of the homogenizing, epistemologically/culturally imperialist aspects of globalization and this resurgent hyper-positivism that has been accompanied by a corporatization of education. I posit that critical education, including critical music education, is an essential component of a necessary—if rancorous—dialogue in maintaining a definition of education that is as varied and …

An Exploration Of The Use Of And The Attitudes Toward Technology In First-Year Instrumental Music, Ashley D. Gilbert

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

The purpose of this study was to determine what technologies are used in first-year instrumental music and to examine factors that influence the attitudes of teachers, students, and parents toward the use of those technologies. Many devices, software, and applications have been developed to aid instrumental students in their learning. However, because of the unique format of most beginning programs, it is unclear what types of technology are actually being used and what attitudes prevail for those involved in using technology. Two researcher-designed questionnaires, the Technology in Music Usage Questionnaire (TMUQ) and the Technology in Music Attitude Questionnaire (TMAQ), were …

How Can We Change Our Habits If We Don’T Talk About Them?, Roger Mantie, Brent C. Talbot

Sunderman Conservatory of Music Faculty Publications

For the late nineteenth century pragmatists, habits were of great interest. Habits, and the habit of changing habits, they believed, reflected if not defined human rationality, leadingWilliam James to describe habit as “the enormous fly-wheel of society.” What the pragmatists did not adequately address (at least for us) is the role of power relations in the process of changing habits. In this article we discuss our experience of attempting to engage critique and reflection on habitual practices in music teacher education, offering the reader an article within an article. That is, we reflect on our failure to publish a critical …

Mia's Music, Miranda L. Bubenheim

Student Publications

Mia’s Music is a story narrating what I view as an ideal curriculum being put into practice. Music educators have an advantageous and unique position to explore a medium with students that truly has the power to bring people together and help them to understand one another. A curriculum based in the cultural themes that students identify with will challenge them to learn through sharing their experiences and understanding others'.

Biophily: Five Musical Episodes For The Revolutionary Educator, Edward J. Holmes

Student Publications

"Biophily: Five Musical Episodes for the Revolutionary Educator" is a composition meant to reflect, through music, some of the key concepts and ideas of authors like Paulo Freire, William Ayers, Neil Postman, and Charles Weingartner in their works that we covered in Social Foundations. Each piece aims to deconstruct poor teaching habits and practices, and musically express a better way to go about education.

Unlocking The Question, Kelly E. Reymann

Student Publications

Educators are constantly seeking ways to establish equity inside and outside of the classroom. This presentation explores ways in which an inquisitive mindset can make steps toward achieving this goal, and how questioning is essential for creating the optimal learning environment.

Highlights In Jazz Concert 322- Saxophones Supreme Battle Of The Saxes, Jack Kleinsinger, Danny Gottlieb

Jack Kleinsinger Presents Highlights in Jazz

Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, March 19th, 2015 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Peter Anderson, Will Anderson, Ken Peplowski, Grant Stewart, Ehud Asherie, Neal Miner, Aaron Kimmel, and the Lou Donaldson Quartet.

Origins Of Music Programs In Liberal Arts Institutions: The Story Of Three Florida Catholic Universities, Cynthia S. Selph

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the music programs in liberal arts colleges through the historical lens of three Catholic Universities in the state of Florida. Although there are numerous historical dissertations and theses written about individual music schools and departments, and a few that compare music programs in similar types of institutions, none have compared music programs in Catholic universities within the same state. After teaching at Saint Leo University and experiencing the process of rebuilding a music program after it was almost completely lost in the mid-1990s, I wanted to study the histories of Saint Leo and other Florida Catholic institutions …

Secondary Band Participation And Executive Function, Dakeyan Cha' Dre' Graham

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Data on standardized tests is often used to advocate for the inclusion of music programs in secondary education curriculum. There have been studies that claim to identify a relationship between music participation and higher earned test scores; however, correlation does not necessarily equate to causation. The argument between whether music instruction improves student testing ability or if higher achieving students are attracted to music courses is still prevalent within the music education domain. Executive function represents the processes within the brain that encompass a number of cognitive ability processes used in the transfer of knowledge. These processes are essential to …

Augustine’S De Musica In The 21st Century Music Classroom, John Macinnis

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Augustine’s De musica is all that remains of his ambitious plan to write a cycle of works describing each of the liberal arts in terms of Christian faith and is actually unfinished; whereas the six books extant today primarily examine rhythm, Augustine intended to write about melody also. The sixth book of De musica was better known in late Antiquity and the Middle Ages than the first five, and it takes up philosophical questions of aesthetics related to the proportionate ordering discernable throughout creation. After a brief introduction summarizing De musica’s content and its importance in subsequent Christian writings, my …

New Mexico Musician Vol 62 No 3 (Spring 2015)

New Mexico Musician

DEPARTMENTS

President’s Report 2

Office Notes 6

From the Editor’s Desk 8

Vice Presidents’ Reports

Band 11

Orchestra 18

General Music 20

Choral 22

Guitar 24

Collegiate 30

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

NM Jazz Educators Article 39

University News 40

NMMEA Music Industry Council Members 43

Advertisers 44

The Irish Experience: Identity And Authenticity In Irish Traditional Music, Elizabeth Graber

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Over the last century, Irish traditional music, or “trad,” has become a global phenomenon that has flourished in communities from the United States of America to Japan. A musician need not be Irish in heritage to play and do justice to Irish traditional music or to feel a strong emotional connection to it; yet ethnic ties, real and imagined, constitute a powerful reason to play. The music is inextricably linked with the poetically-titled Emerald Isle even if its musicians are not. In this project, I explore and analyze the many facets of perception of and participation in Irish traditional music, …

Editorial, Michael E. Ruhling

HAYDN: Online Journal of the Haydn Society of North America

No abstract provided.